< Academy Sir Harry was one of last season's top bumper horses and he got off the mark at the first time of asking over timber in the Winter Festival 2008 Maiden Hurdle.
It was far from plain sailing for Eoin Griffin's 7-2 shot, who was never far off the pace and had only Ten Fires ahead of him as they turned into the straight with two to jump.
The leader had been up front all the way and refused to give in as Academy Sir Harry laid down a challenge under Paddy Flood, and after a rare battle there was only a short head in it at the line.
Flood didn't take long to make it a double, getting Pied Piper Man home in the www.positivesigns.net Handicap Hurdle.
Taking it up a long way out, the Jim Gorman-trained 16-1 shot looked to have a fight on his hands as Nazdaq ranged up going well with two flights to jump, but the favourite found little off the bridle and Pied Piper Man ran on well to score by two and a half lengths.< Rebel Chief returned to fencing after more than a year in the hurdles sphere and sprung a 16-1 surprise in the Book Online Beginners Chase.
Margaret O'Sullivan's seven-year-old took it up on the final circuit under Robbie Power, but hot favourite Casey Jones went after him and appeared to be going well approaching the second-last.
There wasn't much in it at that fence, but Rebel Chief stayed on really strongly in the three-mile contest and went away on the run-in to score by 20 lengths.< Leanne had to settle for second place for the fourth time in five starts over fences as she could not cope with Bluesea Cracker in the Bobbyjo Bistro Mares Beginners Chase.
The 4-1 winner, making her debut over the bigger obstacles for James Motherway, took it up at the third-last and ran on strongly down the home straight, jumping the final fence with a clear advantage before scoring by three lengths under Tom Doyle.< Dan George would not be anyone's idea of a safe conveyance but there is no denying his appetite for a fight after a battling victory in the Course Signage Handicap Chase.
Dessie Hughes's 5-1 shot
© www.irish-racing.com
