Akatara does it again

After finally get her head in front over the course and distance earlier this month, Akatara made it two in-a-row as she took the T & V Novice Hurdle under Jody McGarvey for Michael Bowe.

The six-year-old daughter of Desert Style went thirty-six runs without a win but she now has back-to-back victories to her name.

Sent off at 3/1 she raced in mid-division for much of the contest but closed to track the leaders approaching the third last.

She came with her challenge before the last, hitting the front soon after that flight, and staying on well from there to score by a length and three parts. Tapaigh An Deis was backed on-course from 6/1 into 7/2 but he had to settle for second under Barry Geraghty for Dessie Hughes, while Tyrone House ran a fine race to take third, three parts of a length back at 20/1, for trainer Roy Watson.

With the late withdrawl of the odds-on morning favourite Alelchi Inois, Soweheard went off the 9/10 ‘jolly’ under Davy Condon for Gordon Elliott.

After receiving reminders he made a bad mistake at the second last and that ended his chance, eventually coming home in eighth.

John Bowe, winning owner and brother of the trainer, said afterwards: "She is so consistent and has been in the first four about twenty-five times.

"She is also very versatile and it doesn’t seem to make a difference whether she is running on soft over two miles or on good to firm over three miles.

"I bought her for €1,000 at Goffs a few years ago out of the John Oxx yard and she is very sound and has great wind.

"She often hits a bit of flat spot during her races but her jumping keeps her in it. She travelled sweeter today that usual.

"Jody is great value for his seven pound claim although I would like to give Brian Hayes a special mention as he normally rides her but he is out suspended at the moment. He also does a lot of work on her at home.

"She will still be a novice for another ten months so it gives her plenty of options."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee