Lunar Power and Neil Ryan lead over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Lunar Power sprang a 33/1 surprise in the McHale Mayo Handicap Hurdle, providing Neil Ryan with a winner on just his second ride back after returning from a stint in Australia.
Mixing it between hurdles and the level, the Noel Meade-trained chestnut was last seen finishing down the field in competitive Grade B contest at the Punchestown Festival.
His only previous success over flights came in a juvenile contest at Punchestown in 2021 and he was subsequently placed in graded company before finishing seventh in the Triumph at Cheltenham.
Settled behind the leaders on the outer, the five-year-old victor took closer order from the third last and was soon in a share of the lead.
He gained an outright advantage on the run to the final flight and went a few lengths clear from the furlong pole, going on to prevail by three-and-a-quarter lengths.
The Willie Mullins-trained Power Of Pause (12/1) kept on well to take second under Paul Townend, with A Great View (9/1 from 33s early) half-a-length away in third.
Recent Wexford winner Fruit Blossom (10/1) was fourth, while Troubled Times (11/4f) faded from the last and eventually finished a disappointing eighth.
"He loves the ground and he enjoyed the track," Meade said of the Patricia Hunt owned winner.
"It's a while since he sparked and he had a bad run in Punchestown where he just took no part at all. So he caught me a little bit by surprise here, I wasn't expecting it and certainly not to win like that.
"Neil was in Australia for a while and rode a couple of winners there and he's come back to the yard now. He was a bit heavier than I expected when he came back!
"The horse jumped great for him and he's one of those versatile horses who can go back on the Flat. He stays really well, you couldn't go far enough for him."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Lady Rita trained by Louise G. Lyons, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Troubled Times, trained by S. Curling, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be showing signs of heat stress.
The Raceday Stewards requested a report from Noel Meade, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Lunar Power, placed first, as compared with its last run in Punchestown on the 22/4/2023 where he finished eighteenth. The trainer stated that his charge appreciated today's better ground and a more positive ride. Having considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards noted the content of the report.
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
