The Gatechecker a decent recruit from the David O'Brien stable (won a point-to-point and a bumper), began repaying his current connections of J P McManus and Michael Hourigan, when justifying even money favouritism under Mark Walsh in the McHale Fusion Vario Maiden Hurdle at Ballinrobe. Six Men Or Dooley was still just behind the leaders when making a bad mistake and unshipping Adrian Heskin at the last.

Then it was left to the well-backed Too Many Notes (6s into 7/2 on track) and The Gatechecker to fight it out, and despite being without the aid of his whip close home, Walsh forced his mount into a short head success.

"I told him not to be in front too soon but I didn't mean that! We will try and find something else for him now, maybe a handicap. He might get a bit further. He will make a lovely chaser, he won his point-to-point. He just doesn't like being in front too soon," stated Hourigan.

(DM & EM)