Castle Field Boy, left, toughs it out from Whatsavailable © Photo Healy Racing
Castle Field Boy returned from a break to win a battle with Whatsavailable in the Graham Norris Memorial Handicap Hurdle over an extended three miles in Clonmel.
The 5/1 chance held a narrow lead two out, but was less than fluent there to allow Whatsavailable to be almost upsides. Michael O'Sullivan got the leader back rocking and rolling on an even keel to the last and the pair jumped it slightly in front of Whatsavailable before keeping on best on the short run-in to prevail by two and a-half lengths from the 13/2 runner-up.
Castle Field Boy was last seen winning his maiden hurdle over an extended two and a-half miles at Tipperary in April.
Trainer Pat Foley said: "I'm delighted with him as I was worried about his lack of a recent run in those conditions over three miles. I thought it would be a big ask for him, but the one this with him is he is as tough as nails. I think he'll improve from that.
"The plan after winning in Tipperary was to go straight chasing with him, but we thought he might have had a bit left over hurdles. Now we don't know what we're going to do, so we'll play it by ear.Â
"He is a Scorpion so will go through that ground all day. He has won on yielding but wouldn't want it any drier. We'll see how he comes out of this and go from there."
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
