Adrian Lane narrowed the gap on Keith Hadnett in the claiming riders title race when partnering a double on the Michael Halford-trained Dow Jones and Plant A Smacker to bring his tally for the season to 21.
Lane employed front-running tactics on both winners, with Dow Jones readily landing the maiden hurdle and Plant A Smacker leaving Lane just four behind Hadnett when beating Quarry Boy by three and a half lengths in the two miles handicap hurdle.
There was a controversial outcome to the beginners chase, where the first two placings were reversed following a stewards enquiry. The Paul Moloney-ridden Master Cooper held off Four Eagles by a length and a half but the result was amended as Ian Power's mount was adjudged to have been impeded on the run-in. Moloney was cautioned for careless riding after the stewards took his good record in this regard into account.
The state of the ground was a major concern to many trainers and, following constant withdrawals throughout the afternoon due to the firm conditions, a total of 26 horses were ruled out.
Davy Russell has been stood down for seven days, and may have dislocated his left shoulder, after pulling up Wee Red Roo in the opening four-year-old maiden hurdle. The former point-to-point champion, who is now based with Ferdy Murphy, aggravated a previous injury in the incident but x-rays taken afterwards proved inconclusive.
Ruby Walsh followed up his treble at Aintree on Saturday by scoring aboard Flower Hunter in the two and a half mile handicap hurdle to bring his Irish tally to 70. The six-year-old led between the final two flights to beat Amandas Princess by a length and a half, and trainer Pat Fahy commented, 'He stays well, and we gave him a break to wait for the ground.'
Grand National winning rider Barry Geraghty was denied a winning return to domestic action when the odds-on Nomination Blues was caught close home by the Mark Madden partnered Go On My Beauty in the opening four-year-old maiden hurdle. 'I trained this filly as a two-year-old, and she came back to me about a month ago after a spell with John Bowles. She handles fast ground well, and will run over the summer both on the Flat and over hurdles,' said trainer Pat Hughes.
Charlie Swan, who retired from the saddle at Aintree on Saturday, was on the mark as a trainer when Saintly Rachel took the bumper in the hands of Luisa Williams.
Alan Magee
