Michael Hourigan's Hi Cloy earned a crack at the Aintree National when getting back to winning ways at Thurles today, winning the featured Grade 2 MacLochlainn Road Markings Ltd Kinloch Brae Chase.
Ridden by Tom Doyle, the four time Grade 1 winner led from the fourth last fence, eventually staying on well in the straight to hold the challenge of One Cool Cookie by three and a half lengths.
Afterwards a relieved Michael Hourigan revealed 'I made a fool of myself when he ran so badly in the King George at Kempton last time out but he came right back to himself when he worked at home on Tuesday.'
He added 'he'll go for the Aintree National this season and although he will have a big weight, he jumps and stays well. Ginger McCain, who bought Amberleigh House from me, tried to buy him a few times and he knows what it takes to win the race!'
Cashmans Bookmakers cut Hi Cloy into 20/1 (from 33/1) for the Aintree National.
Trainer Willie Mullins and stable jockey Ruby Walsh combined to record a double, highlighted by the win of Pomme Tiepy in the Grade 3 Coolmore National Hunt Sires EBF Novice Chase.
The French bred son of Apple Tree tracked leader Pip'N Pop before moving through to lead at the third last fence, eventually staying on strongly for an easy 24 length win.
Afterwards Mullins stated 'I'm delighted with that - she jumps and stays well, likes that heavy ground and wasn't an expensive purchase from France. We'll enter her in the Grade 1 PJ Moriarty Chase next but she may avoid some of my other nice novices and go for a Grade 2 event elsewhere.'
Earlier Mullins' Cooldine (5/4jf, under Ruby Walsh) benefited from the second last flight fall of the challenging joint favourite Scavenger when running out the fortunate winner of the INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle.
Both Cooldine and Scavenger raced to the hurdle upsides, with the pair traveling strongly, before Scavenger, under Conor O'Dwyer, took their heavy fall. Scavenger and O'Dwyer were unhurt leaving Cooldine to coast to a 22 length success.
Afterwards Mullins reported 'we were a bit fortunate as Scavenger appeared to be going very well.'
He added 'Cooldine does like a trip and will probably go for the Michael Purcell Memorial Hurdle in March before going chasing next season.'
Donal Coffey's Nobregemar was the well supported 4/1 winner of the D & S Tarmac Handicap Hurdle.
Ridden by Andrew McNamara, the daughter of Darazari chased the leaders before improving to lead at the second last flight, eventually staying on well to hold the challenge of Jasmin D'Oudaires by two and a half lengths.
The opening www.thurlesraces.ie Maiden Hurdle saw Flat trainer Charles O'Brien record a rare jumps winner when his Concrete And Clay ran out the four and a half length winner under Tom Ryan.
The son of Medicean raced in mid division before improving to lead after the third last flight, staying on well despite making a mistake at the final flight.
Another better known Flat trainer to record a winner was Michael Halford, whose Cosmo King landed the Gain Horse Feeds Hurdle, under Paul Carberry.
Cosmo King raced prominently throughout and although the gelding was under pressure in second from early in the straight, stayed on well to eventually lead at the final flight, for a five and a half length win over Capel Lad.
Thomas Weekes.
