Another fine leap by Toushan under Roger Loughran© Photo Healy Racing
One sensed at the third last, when front-runner Toushan 'pinged' the obstacle, that he'd be hard beaten under Roger Loughran, in the Best Of Luck To The Irish At Cheltenham Maiden Hurdle at Gowran. So it transpired at the finish, as Tom Foley's representative prevailed by three and three parts of a length.
With original favourite Uncle Danny out, Patsio (5/2 into 15/8) assumed that mantle. He wasn't good at the second last, when in pursuit of Toushan, who was again notably fluent.
Four to one shot, Toushan, in first-time cheek-pieces, kept up the gallop and it was Lets High Five It that came through for the runner-up spot, a head in front of Patsio.
Foley revealed afterwards: "He's (owner/breeder Michael O'Dowd) a man with great patience.
"This horse has had so much trouble with his knees and we were about to give up on him. He went to sleep a bit the last day so we put cheek-pieces on and they worked."
P.T. Enright, rider of Capital Pursuit trained by Robert Tyner, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount made a respiratory noise in running.
A.E. Lynch, rider of Show And Go trained by Henry de Bromhead, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount jumped big and stayed on well. He added that the horse would benefit from a step up in trip.
B. Hayes, rider of The Old House trained by James Daniel Dullea, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount stayed on well, having failed to travel in the early stages.
(AM & EM)
