Unoccupied back to winning ways Unoccupied stuck at it best to land the spoils in a stamina sapping Killinan Handicap Hurdle at Thurles. The Eoghan O'Grady-trained gelding raced prominently throughout in the 2m6f event and was ridden to lead at the third last. Twin Plan appeared to be travelled better turning for home but couldn't pick up when asked and it was Vincent Row who emerged as the biggest threat before the last. He crashed out when pressing the eventual winner at the final flight and Philip Enright kept Unoccupied going on the run-in to post a eight-length victory over Twin Plan. The 10/1 winner was bouncing back to winning ways, switched back to timber, having been pulled up over fences at Punchestown last time. The gelding had also been victorious in a beginners chase at Tramore on New Year's Eve. “It would have been a toss of a coin at the last with Philip Rothwell's horse coming down,” admitted O'Grady afterwards. “I'm not sure were we will go next. He might go back over fences.” Robbie McMahon was sent off 3/1 favourite but was pulled up. (Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)
