Party time again for Hayes Thepartysover stuck on gamely in the closing stages to claim the Ladies Handicap Hurdle at Thurles under a fine ride by Aine O'Connor. The 14/1 shot was produced to challenge turning for home in the two-miler and fought it out with Do The Bookies from the second last. Gerry Hayes' charge went on from that rival on the run to the last and was kept going well in the closing stages to hold the late challenge of 6/4 favourite Edmundo by a length. The winner had scored at Naas last month but had been well held behind today's runner-up at Navan nine days ago. “He'll go to Stratford (on Monday week) for a race there,” said Hayes afterwards. The winner holds an entry in the Martin Pipe Conditionals Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham but is 195 of 195 entries and sits right at the bottom of the weights on 9st 1 so would need a miracle to get a run. (Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
