Weapons hangs on for Bartlett success

Weapons Amnesty held the late surge of Pride of Dulcote to take the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle under Davy Russell.

The six-year-old was a Grade Three winner at Limerick for trainer Charles Byrnes earlier in the year and he looks to have a promising future.

Ruby Walsh was never far from the pace and kicked on coming down the hill on Pride of Dulcote but Davy Russell always had him in his sights to reward punters at 8-1 as he held on by half a length with The Midnight Club back in third.

Den Of Iniquity and Alpha Ridge set the early pace and plenty still held chances a mile out.

Unfortunately Den Of Iniquity appeared to go wrong and was pulled up, leaving Pride Of Dulcote in front.

Cape Tribulation and On Raglan Road appeared to be going as well as anything but failed to pick up under pressure.

Russell asked his mount for everything approaching the last and appeared to have the race in safe keeping, but he began to idle on the run-in and Pride Of Dulcote came at him again before the line came to the rescue of Weapon's Amnesty.

Russell said: "I knew I didn't want to get there too early on him, but I couldn't stop him.

"I was hoping someone would come to me. He's a good horse and he wasn't doing a stroke in front.

"Ruby had another go but it was more a case of me going back to him as I was idling in front.

"You must remember that Charles Byrnes has done a fantastic job with him. For anybody that doesn't know he has been very difficult to train, he's got a very big frame.

"He's a tough horse, he won his maiden hurdle over three miles so I knew the trip wouldn't be a problem and being by Presenting the better ground would suit."

Byrnes said: "It's my first winner here having saddled the second in this race twice before, both last year and in 2006.

"He's by Presenting so I thought he would appreciate the better ground and his form at home had worked out well.

"He will jump fences next season and I suspect he could just come back for the RSA Chase."