Well-backed 'warrior' progressing nicely

Available at 4/1 in places this morning, Churchstonewarrior justified 11/10 favouritism in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle under a confident ride from Denis O’Regan.

Held up in touch, the Mahler gelding missed the third-last but came through to tackle market rival Idas Boy (11/8) on the run to the final flight. The 6-year-old wasn’t the most fluent at that obstacle, either, but still managed to get the better of Idas Boy by a snug half length.

It was a second victory at this venue for the winner who easily landed a bumper here in January and he was building on his maiden hurdle win at Sligo last month.

Winning trainer Jonathan Sweeney said: "It was a good performance and Denis (O'Regan) was good on him - he rode him with fierce confidence, that's the way he rides and he was very good.

"He is a lovely, improving horse and is coming forward the whole time. I still think it'll be another year before he is a proper horse.

"Today's race was a grand race to progress and we'll see what's coming up. We might wait for the Dorans Pride novice hurdle at Limerick over Christmas."

Quotes from Thomas Weekes