Keith Donoghue, Gordon Elliott, Discoteca and groom Lucinda Lynch after the race© Photo Healy Racing
Discoteca just managed to get the better of Dibella to record his fourth victory in-a-row in the jogforjockeys.ie Hurdle for trainer Gordon Elliott with Keith Donoghue in the saddle.
The 4yo gelded son of Nayef won his maiden hurdle at Cork in April on the fourth time of asking but since won at Ballinrobe in May and in Gowran last month.
The Paul Nolan trained Dibella (8/1) under double seeking Emmet McNamara attempted to make most of the running but she just couldn't hold off the winner who came with his challenge at the second last and had to dig deep away from the last to see off the mare by just a head.
The winner was far from fluent over his hurdles and made mistakes throughout the 2m 4f contest.
Having opened at 8/11 this morning with Paddy Powers, Discoteca drifted out to 11/8 favourite at the off.
Winning trainer Gordon Elliott said afterwards: “He hated the ground but we took the chance. All the conditions where against him.
"He is probably a bit better than that. Keith gave him a good ride and we are going to give Keith a chance to ride more for us.
"He will get an entry in the Galway Hurdle. Keith said after he jumped the first few he just couldn’t take off in that ground."
(On-course reporting by Michael Graham)
