Macs Boosts Champion Prospects

Macs Joy warmed up for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle with a smooth victory ? his first of the season ? in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park.

The 2-5 shot, trained by Jessica Harrington, led at the third-last flight and was not troubled to score by four and a half lengths to complete a hat-trick on the day for his jockey Barry Geraghty.

Early leader Asian Maze stayed on in eye-catching fashion to claim second place having dropped back when headed, with Ground ball in third and Essex last of the four runners.

Mrs Harrington said: 'We are going to Cheltenham now with all guns blazing. The ground was pretty sticky and he will appreciate better ground.

'He jumped and travelled well ? Barry said he even tried to run off with him going to the start. Hopefully we will end up firing at the right end of the season this year.'

VC Bet cut the winner to 4-1 from 5s for the blue riband at Cheltenham, while at the same time trimming the runner-up to 6-1 from 8-1 for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

The latter's trainer Tom Mullins was delighted with her run, her first since landing a Grade One event at last year's Punchestown Festival.

'Paul (Carberry) said she gave a big heave when she was headed,' he said. 'He gave her about half a furlong to get her second wind and she stayed on really when he went for her again.

'It's more than likely she'll go straight to Cheltenham (World Hurdle) now as time is running out.'

Geraghty had earlier struck on Brutto Facie (13-8) for Mrs Harrington in the Walsh's Toyota Beginners' Chase and on Forget The Past (9-4) for Michael O'Brien.

Forget The Past (9-4) was slashed at long odds for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup after his victory.

He was cut to 25-1 from 66-1 with VC Bet, 20-1 from 50-1 with Cashmans and 40-1 from 60s with William Hill.

Geraghty brought the eight-year-old to head long-time leader Jim, the 9-10 favourite, at the third-last and staying on strongly, Forget The Past went to score by two and a half lengths.

Strong Project was third, with Mariah Rollins last of the four.

'I'm more or less sure the Gold Cup will be his objective at Cheltenham. He could turn out again in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse next Saturday. We'll see then if he's a Gold Cup horse or not.

'He's not been over-raced this season so it shouldn't be a problem giving him another run before Cheltenham.'

Willie Mullin's much-hyped Scotsirish failed to live up to his pre-race billing when finishing only fourth behind the Philip Fenton-trained Oran Flyer (16-1) in the Rockview INH Flat Race.

? PA Sport