Art Of Logistics gets the better of Midnight Oil (right) and Waaheb (left)© Photo Healy Racing
Art Of Logistics ran out a cosy winner of the opening conditions hurdle at Fairyhouse as long odds-on favourite Waaheb proved a major disappointment.
Dermot Weld's charge was sent off a 1/4 shot for the two-mile contest but after leading for much of the race folded tamely in the closing stages.
Art Of Logistics travelled notably well turning for home and launched his challenged at the second last.
He soon took over from Waaheb but was pressed, after a mistake at the last, by Midnight Oil
The Exit To Nowhere gelding had plenty in reserve on the run-in, as he galloped on strongly, and was a comfortable two-length winner at the line.
The winner had failed to make an impressive when third to Un Atout in desperate ground conditions at Naas last time and was having only his fifth start.
“He looked a good horse when he won his bumper although he was still a bit weak when he won his maiden hurdle,” said Hughes.
“He'll come back here at Easter for a novice hurdle. He's got a Flat pedigree and the slightly better ground certainly helped.”
Weld was understandably disappointed with the run of Waaheb:- “He jumped well but the ground was tacky. He was disappointing.”
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
