Run For Firth bounces back to his best

Run For Firth bounced back to his best as he took the Anglo Handicap Hurdle under Brian O'Connell for owner/trainer Kieran Purcell.

A winner at Galway in September 2013 the son of Dushyantor was then off the track until February of this year.

He was well-beaten on his return to action and he again finished down the field on his next start at Listowel.

The three time point-to-point winner showed signs of a return to form by finishing third on his most recent outing at Clonmel.

Fitted with a tongue strap for the first time today he opened on-course at 14/1 before going off at 10's.

Settled in mid-division he was pushed along from three out and made good progress on the outer approaching the straight.

He was ridden on the run to the second last and came with his challenge before the last, hitting the front at that flight before staying on well to score by two and three parts of a length.

Joint-favourite Tigroney (8/1 last night and from 6's to 5's on-course) hit the front approaching the straight but he ultimately had to settle for second under Jack Kennedy for Liz Doyle. Chief Of Panama was the other joint-favourite and he was a further three and three parts of a length back in third under David Mullins for Liam Cusack.

Kieran Purcell said afterwards: "The ground was too quick for him at Clonmel but was ideal today.

"The ground is running out a bit for him and while he is crying out for a fence, he might get another spin over hurdles if the ground is suitable."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes