Scorpion comes good in Brown Lad

Sir Scorpion ended a losing run stretching back 19 months when taking the featured Paddy Osborne Memorial Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle at Naas.

The seven-year-old gelding won twice early last year, and was backing up a promising reappearance when second to Jack The Wire at the Listowel Festival.

Whizzey Rascal and Ballyadam Brook ensured a true run event when taking the 14-runner field along at a strong pace but it was all change as the pair were reeled in early in the straight.

Mark Walsh sent Sir Scorpion to the front approaching the final flight, and the 13/2 chance kept on well to beat Mr Boss Man by two and a half lengths. Weather Watch was a further three lengths away in third while Automated who travelled strongly to challenge at the penultimate flight, could find no extra to finish fourth.

Winning trainer Tom Mullins, who later completed a double with Llancillo Lord said “He’s summered well and seems a lot stronger than he was. He was placed last season without winning. I’d say the ground doesn’t really matter to him.”