Coral River flows home in Gowran Coral River reeled in Kish Bank to land the two mile auction maiden hurdle on Gowran Park's card. Kish Bank led narrowly on the approach for home and Sam Ewing attempted to assert after two out. Coral River had improved into second at that flight, though, and Danny Mullins was in no mood to let Kish Bank get away. The pursuer closed at the last where Kish Bank was less than fluent and Coral River was in full flow to take over in the closing stages. He went on by three lengths to reward his backers at 11/2. Runner-up Kish Bank was an 11/4 chance and was three-and-a-half-lengths clear of Gillane (20/1). This was the winner's second crack at hurdling having finished mid-division at Naas in January. He had been runner-up in three bumpers. Tom Mullins said: “I was worried that they were going too slow because he definitely wants a trip. “He badly needed the run in Naas the last day both for fitness and experience over hurdles. “The obvious thing now would be to get him right for the final in Punchestown. I don’t know what we’ll do in between, but that’s the main target.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee
