Safari is on the Up

With the defection of Alderwood, just eight went to post for the Oran Novice Hurdle, with Safari Sunup getting the better of the 13/8 favourite Jacksonslady after another battle up the home straight.

The winner by Catcher in the Rye was having just his fourth start in Ireland having previously being trained in the UK on the level.

Considering he was sent off the well fancied 2/1 favourite when winning on his last start at Tramore, his starting price today of 10/1 seemed very generous and so it proved to be.

The 13/8 favourite Jacksonslady attempted to make all under Ruby Walsh and she went clear approaching the straight and looked the winner. However Safari Sunup under Shay Barry, closed her down approaching two out, where he made a mistake that could have ended his chance.

However he battled on gamely to disputed the lead after the last, soon led and held off the rallying challenge of the runner-up by half a length.

The pair created a twenty nine length gap back to the third placed, Fuschia Belle who was sent off the 7/4 second favourite under Barry Geraghty.

Winning trainer Eoin Doyle said afterwards: "He is a grand horse and Tramore didn't suit him the last time. I know he won there but he wasn't that impressive.

"He did it well today, to pull back the leader (Jacksonslady) and he battled on well. He wouldn't want the ground any worse than that, but he wouldn't want it like a road either.

"He will go for a Novice Hurdle next at Galway."