13:33
Defender Novice Hurdle (Grade 2)
Grade 2, 2m7f, Hurdle, 4yo+, 5 runners
Winning time 6m 33.90s
- Going
- Heavy
- Surface
- Turf
- Jumps
- 12 hurdles
Result
Danny Gilligan
Gordon Elliott
Settled off the pace towards the back - still close enough at halfway - urged forward into 3rd turning for home - hit the front before 2 out but not quite clean over it - challenged and lost the advantage briefly - regained control after the last drifting right - dug in gamely to prevail under maximum effort
Sean Flanagan
E McNamara
Settled in rear early and eager to go on - up to 4th by halfway - moved into 2nd early in the straight - driven into 3rd approaching two out - hit front after two out - drifted left and scrappy at the final fence - overtaken after the last - rallied gamely to the line - narrowly denied in 2nd
J J Slevin
Henry De Bromhead
Shared front spot early at an unhurried gallop - clumsy over first two obstacles - went in front 5th - stumbled again 8th and drew alongside rival - hit the front turning into the straight - overtaken before two out - driven into third but hampered for room and eased right at the last - unable to close on the leaders despite urging - stayed on same speed to finish 3rd
Sean O'Keeffe
Emmet Mullins
Shared front spot in a even gallop and a shade fresh - stumbled and lost place at the 5th - third when blundering the 6th - slipped to the back and driven on after 3 out - modest 4th at the 2 out marker - stumbled at the last and unable to find more - finished 4th
Conor Stone-Walsh
Paul Nolan
Up with the front rank and sharing top spot at stages - moved to 2nd by halfway - contesting the front 4 out before an untidy jump - pressure applied and surrendered advantage approaching the straight - 4th into the straight and found nothing in reserve to finish 5th
Non-runners: Santo Sospir (unsuitable ground)
Draw in brackets. Headgear: b blinkers, v visor, h hood, t tongue strap, p cheekpieces, e/s eye shield; ¹ first time. C course winner, D distance winner, CD course and distance winner. Form reads oldest to newest.