Old Kilcash & Danny Mullins crash out at the last, as Hospital hits the front before going on to score under Mark Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
Hospital ran out a fortunate winner of the last at Ballinrobe, the Easyfix Rubber Products Maiden Hurdle, as the 11/10 favourite, Old Kilcash crashed out at the last when still in front.
The John ‘Shark’ Hanlon trained market leader had been in front for the majority of the contest, and he appeared to travelling best when coming down at the final flight.
He brought down the Keith Donoghue ridden Banned In Bhutan in process, and thankfully both jockeys and horses were ok after the incident.
Hospital, who is a five-year-old son of King’s Theatre, raced in fourth, under Mark Walsh, for much of the contest, before moving into third after the second last.
He was second approaching the final flight, before being left in front on the run-in, just holding off the late surge of Get Of The Stage by a nose.
The runner-up was returned at 8/1 for the father and son team of Pat and Tony Kelly, while Lord Of Isenay finished five length back in third at 6/1 on his first start for Barry Potts.
Eric McNamara said afterwards: "He has been very consistent and he has been knocking on the door.
"I don’t think the favourite was home and hosed when he fell.
"The step up in trip from two miles to two and a half was a plus, and he’ll stay on the go now for the rest of the summer. He is the only horse I have for JP."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
