Isle rewards good support on return Isleofhopendreams was the horse for money today and his backers were rewarded in fine style as he claimed the Killinan Handicap Hurdle in effortless fashion at Thurles. The Flemensfirth gelding, returning from a 671 absence and making his first start for Willie Mullins, was available at as big as 11/4 this morning but was returned a 4/5 shot on course. Ruby Walsh held his mount up towards the rear in the early stages before making ground up from the fifth last. He challenged West Of The Edge at the second last and went on before the final flight to record an easy 10-length success. The winner had been placed twice in six starts for Henrietta Knight in the 2011/12 season but hadn't run since pulling up at Bangor in April 2012. “He settled and travelled well. He went on the ground while most of the others probably didn't. They went quick enough for that grade of horse,” reported Walsh afterwards. (Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)
