Druid's Altar negotiates the final flight© Photo Healy Racing
It was slow-motion stuff at the end of two miles one furlong for the juveniles in the Osprey Hotel Hurdle at Punchestown, but Joseph O'Brien's Druid's Altar saw it out much the best.
The attritional ground clearly took its toll on the eight-runner field who came home at intervals Perry Owens led throughout and was closely attended by Druid's Altar who picked it up after the fourth last. Ilmig moved into contention at the second last as the pair had the race to themselves.
Druid's Altar galloped clear of Ilmig, who had no answers, before the last. JJ Slevin then had to keep the revs up on his mount on the run-in as the pair scored by four and a quarter lengths at 7/1.
Ilmig was hammered down from a morning-price of 12/1 to 9/4 but had to settle for second. He was seven and a half lengths clear of Perry Owens (16/1).
Assistant trainer Brendan Powell said: “He's a tough, hardy horse. Obviously he had the five runs and won in testing ground over a mile-and-a-half in Listowel.
“He's jumped well at home and he stays. In an ideal world he could have got a lead longer but JJ said he had to let him stride on.
“He had a good look at the last and I'm sure if something went with him in a better race he'd keep on.
“He's not slow, he stays the trip well, but he's got a good cruising speed. He's a lovely, big horse and hopefully he'll have a future.”
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Dark Voyager trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
P. Townend, rider of fourth-placed Dark Voyager trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount stopped very quickly.
Paddy Power gave Druid's Altar a first show of 33/1 for the Triumph Hurdle.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
