Emerging talent Ian Power was the man in form at Thurles as he notched up a near 16/1 double aboard Snowy Ford and the enigmatic Canford.
The latter, trained by the rider's boss Noel Meade, again proved very reluctant to line up in Division 2 of the 5yo maiden hurdle and gave away the best part of fifteen lengths at the start. However, such was the sedate nature of the early gallop that he was soon back in contention and eventually went on to score by a facile twelve lengths.
Snowy Ford brought up the rider's brace when gaining revenge for last month's course defeat by Sharp Risk in the 2m2f handicap hurdle. Trainer Paul Nolan was quick to acknowledge the part played by the significant weight differential on this occasion, and was fulsome in his praise of the winning rider. 'Ian rode exactly to my instructions, and is as good a seven-pound claimer as I've seen in a long time,' he opined.
Adrian Lane was another to come in for a positive report after steering English import Al Towd to an all-the-way win in the opener. 'Adrian is a good lad and gave the horse a lovely ride,' said successful handler Michael Halford, who later rushed off to see his two runners in action in the bumper at Leopardstown.
