Eagle makes winning return Alpine Eagle made a winning return to action, leading home a one-two for owner JP McManus, in the conditions chase at Tipperary. Jessica Harrington's charge was making his first start since last July and pulled his way to the front four from home in the 2m1f contest. The easy to back 7/1 shot (from 7/2 in morning) kept on well when asked for an effort down the straight. Andrew Leigh had to get busy after a slight mistake at the last but he had plenty in reserve to hold Shot From The Hip by two-and-a-quarter lengths. The runner-up had been the one for money, backed from 5/2 in the morning into 13/8 favourite on track. Alpine Eagle had looked a smart prospect when winning twice over fences early last summer before being well held in a novice event at Galway. "He was fresh and well, and jumped well," said McManus' racing manager Frank Berry about the winner. "He'll tip away for the summer. He burst a blood vessel the last day he ran and he's had his problems. That's why he was off." Gary Carson & Thomas Weekes
