Valmy a progressive one for Connell/Elliott

Barry Connell had the first and third in the attheraces.com Exclusive Barry Geraghty Blog Handicap Hurdle as Valmy Baie took the prize under Danny Mullins for Gordon Elliott. Star Neuville was Connell's bronze medallist and he is trained by Enda Bolger.

The riders here sported black armbands to commemorate the death of young Ryan Cusack yesterday on Bolger's land at Bruree, County Limerick.

The unexposed French import, Valmy Baie, having his second start for current connections, travelled well to lead at the last before convincingly going on to defeat Sullane Chief by two and a quarter lengths.

"He's a grand horse and he had a good run in Cork the last day.

"He's had a couple of niggly problems in between so that's why he hasn't run since then.

"He might be a horse for the Festival meeting here and I thought that was a good performance," stated Elliott.

'Money' horses here in the ring, Oscar Fiain and Spa Hill could manage only 8th and 10th positions respectively.

Sabrina J. Harty, trainer of Dalasiri reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that her charge scoped badly post race.

(GC & EM)