Battling Spirit on the up at the age of 11 The attheraces.com/cheltenham Handicap Hurdle saw a second winning favourite in as many races at Fairyhouse as Battling Spirit prevailed under Katie O'Farrell. Two handicap first-timers were the focus of much attention pre-race here, as both Eddie Cawley's Misty Hollow, and Oliver McKiernan's Cappacon tumbled in price. This pair rewarded each-way support after coming in from fancy odds in earlier trading to starting prices of 11/2 and 8/1 respectively. At the business end of this two and a half miler it was a case of the form horse beating the unexposed ones though, as Battling Spirit proved too strong for Misty Hollow and Cappacon by a length and a quarter and three and a half lengths. Trainer Jonathan Sweeney was on lead-up duties and his back-in-trip 15/8 favourite certainly deserved this after a third placing behind handicap good thing Poormans Hill last time. Owner/breeder Kevin Dunlea deserves it too for his patience with the eleven-year-old, winning his second race in three starts here. (GC & EM)
