Robert Jones suffered a nasty fall from the ill-fated French Riviera yesterday at Fairyhouse but he enjoyed better luck when guiding Questions Answered to success in the opening Newmarket Novice Handicap Hurdle at Cork.
In the Brenda Graham colours of Southern Vic Jones led two out and the son of Old Vic pinged the last on the way to accounting for the favourite, The Sneezer by three lengths.
Not surprisingly given that the owners are the Northern bookmaking family, Questions Answered didn't go unsupported finding 9/1 from 12/1. Eric McNamara's chestnut was second in a point-to-point in the spring before qualifying for his mark with three outings in maiden hurdles.
McNamara commented afterwards: "The owners had a few quid on him and they're very happy men. This horse was second in a point-to-point for the late Tom Costello and he told me that he'd make a nice chaser some day. He said that if he won a hurdle it'd be a bonus but maybe he'd win another one now."
Jones is attached to the McNamara yard. He's from Rathkeale and this was his third winner.
Explanations into improvement in form were noted by the Stewards.
