Review thurles 24th Mar

Gigginstown House Stud continued their fine run when Launchpad justified short odds in the Moycarkey Hurdle at Thurles.

Michael O'Leary's operation had three winners at the Cheltenham Festival and there was no doubting Launchpad's superiority over the opposition as the four-year-old got off the mark at the third attempt.

Davy Russell had an armchair ride on the 4-5 shot, who cruised to victory by six lengths from One For Joules

"He's in at Aintree but Fairyhouse might do instead," said trainer Dessie Hughes.

"He could go for a winners-of-one race beforehand although he doesn't need much more experience."

However, Russell suffered a fall from Academy Rose in the following race, the Holy Cross Maiden Hurdle, and missed his final mount of the day, Resolute Bay in the Captain Paddy Graham Order Of Malta Maiden Hurdle won by Wyse Oscar (12-1).

Academy Rose's tumble two out left the way clear for Popcorn (4-7) to come home an easy seven-length winner for trainer Willie Mullins and his amateur rider son Patrick.

"He was probably lucky today. The horse that fell appeared to be travelling quite well," said Mullins senior.

"He needs an extra half mile or even a mile. He's a real chaser for next year. We'll try and win another hurdle and he'll go for a winner's race over two and a half miles or further.

Mullins' stable jockey Ruby Walsh had luck on his side to win on his only mount 5-2 favourite Mr Pernickety for County Westmeath-based Robert Burns in division two of the Clonoulty Handicap Hurdle after the leader Glenbane Gent got rid of Paul Townend, his understudy at the champion stable, at the final flight.

Townend had got on the scoreboard by winning division one on Shorecliffe King (11-2) for County Kildare trainer Philip Dempsey.

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