Deep Trouble and Noel Fehily head for home© Photo Healy Racing
A 25-runner handicap over two and a half miles that was won by seven lengths? That was the scenario that played out in Punchestown as another horse came over from England and put in a dominant display.
The Grade B Setanta Sports Handicap Hurdle was worth 100,000 euro in total, with the winner Deep Trouble garnering the lion’s share of 60,000.
Trained by Ben Case in Britain, the handler said: “He ran well in the County Hurdle. He’s been running well all season. He had just one poor run on desperate ground in the Betfair Hurdle.
“He’s been taking his racing well and loves this ground. He’ll make a nice chaser. That’s probably my biggest winner.”
From 11th at the penultimate flight, Noel Fehily brought him into second in the home straight and the pair edged ahead just before the final hurdle. Deep Trouble then forged on for a decisive win. His backers were paid out at 16/1. Bally Longford for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend was overtaken by the winner at the last and had to settle for second at 16/1. He was a head in front of Un Temps Pour Tout (11/1). The nicely-backed Blacklough (14/1 to 9/1) completed the placings in fourth.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
