Last season's Cheltenham bumper winner Missed That made a disappointing start to his chasing career at Thurles today, where Willie Mullins' gelding jumped inadequately to finish a well beaten third.
The former point to point winner was making his belated chase debut (having been denied a run due to the balloting problem) and was given plenty of light into his fences with jockey David Casey but did not jump with any fluency.
Missed That (1/2 favourite) was slow at the fourth last, and from the second last was in trouble, leaving both Trampoline King and Public Reaction to fight out a tight finish.
The pair was separated by the width of the track at the line, with Public Reaction and Conor O'Dwyer eventually winning by a neck.
Public Reaction's trainer Eddie Hales later commented 'Public Reaction was a bit sticky over the last few fences so he should improve. He will probably go for a winners' race over Christmas.'
Missed That's trainer Willie Mullins later simply stated 'I am very disappointed and the horse just didn't jump.'
Jockey Mike Darcy recorded a 62/1 double, opening with a win on Mouse Morris' Baily Breeze in the feature race, the Glen Steeplechase.
Baily Breeze was always prominent, leading from seven out and eventually keeping up the gallop for a seven length win over Far From Trouble.
Morris later praised Darcy's ride as 'a lovely confident one' adding 'Baily Breeze jumped well and will probably go for a novice race over Christmas.'
Darcy completed his double in the next, on Michael Hourigan's 11/4 favourite Just, who stayed on well from the last to defeat Castle Kevin by two and a half lengths.
Hourigan's post race interview included a trip down memory lane to his schooldays but he did mention 'Just will go for another race in his own class and will probably run at Limerick over Christmas next.'
Jockey Niall Madden returned from a seven day layoff from a fall at the venue last Thursday with a win on Dreux in the Holy Cross 3YO Maiden Hurdle.
Front running 5/4 favourite Dillons Dilemma set off at a fast pace with the Tom Cooper trained Dreux coming through to lead after two out, eventually stretching twenty lengths clear of the field.
Cooper later reported 'they went a mad gallop but my horse gallops for fun. He'll go for the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas and will eventually make a lovely chaser.'
Jockey John Cullen has a good recent record at Thurles and he was on board 16/1 shot According To Billy, winner of the Rock Of Cashel Hurdle.
Edward O'Grady's According To Billy raced prominently throughout, getting to the front after the final flight, staying on under a strong ride to win by 3l, with his better fancied stablemate Overbury Affair well held in 5th.
Trainer Adrian Maguire recorded his third racecourse win (and first over jumps) when Oscar Night ran on well after the last to win the Cahir Maiden Hurdle under Paul Carberry.
