Essex Takes Tipperary Feature

Essex came with a telling late run to deny Star Wood an all-the-way success in the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary.

Michael O'Brien's winner was sent off 5-4 favourite for the Grade Three event and Andrew Lynch was happy to settle in second as Star Wood went around 10 lengths clear in front.

Those tactics looked set to pay off for Tommy Treacy as Star Wood was still in front at the third last, while Lynch was beginning to push his mount along.

Star Wood began to get a little leg-weary turning into the straight, however, while Essex was just starting to get into top gear at the last.

Although Treacy's mount gave her all, Essex proved much too smart and pulled five lengths clear at the line, with the disappointing Al Eile back in third.

VC Bet were suitably impressed and cut Essex to 12-1 from 20s for next month's Guinness Galway Hurdle.

However, O'Brien's assistant Denis Cullen revealed connections have an alternative target at Galway in mind.

He said: 'Our horses have been a little bit out of form but it was encouraging at Killarney this week when a few of them ran well.

'This horse nearly always runs well fresh and will go for the GPT Handicap on the opening day of Galway now.

'He should have a good chance and that run might just bring him on a little bit.

'Hopefully our horses can go on from here and have a good Galway.'

Cullen added: 'Basically, this horse had his palate lasered as he was always a bit thick in his wind and this job seems to have worked.'

(C) PA Sport