Sam Bass continued his fruitful start to his hurdling career when making it three from four over flights by landing the opening Grade 3 Bar One Racing Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse under Paul Carberry. One Cool Shabra and Sam Bass appeared to have his two miler between them from some way out. However a patient Davy Russell delivered His Excellency from off the pace to deliver his challenge at the last.
As usual he swished his tail on the run-in but Sam Bass appeared to have plenty left in the tank and he asserted to score by a length and a half at the finish.
Noel Meade trains Sam Bass for the McAlpine Syndicate and he said: "That's great – he stays very well.
"We'll go on to Christmas with him now (Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day).
"We were always a bit worried about the ground with him but he worked great on it the other day so we were happy enough.
"We thought he'd improved a bit since his last run.
"I haven't talked to Paul yet but maybe he could have went on a bit at the last. He gave the others a bit of hope."
Stan James go 33/1 Sam Bass for the Triumph Hurdle. (GC & EM)
