Swan Targets Swinton Success

Emmpat could bid to set the record straight in next month's Betfred Swinton Handicap Hurdle after taking the feature Menolly Homes Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Charlie Swan's charge was sent off favourite for last year's two-mile event at Haydock but could finish only fourth behind Acambo.

The Bigstone gelding was then kept busy with a Flat campaign last summer before being given a break after a lucklustre effort in Listed company last September.

However, returned to obstacles, Emmpat overcame a 192-day absence to see off New Field by three lengths under David Casey and secure a possible trip across the Irish Sea.

Swan said: 'For the last 10 days the owner has been ringing me up asking how he was and I kept telling him I wished the race was today as he was so well ? we just needed the ground to dry up.

'The horse is entered at Liverpool on Saturday. The owner is keen to run but I think it might be a bit unfair on the horse so he could go back for the Swinton Hurdle and the Galway Hurdle is also on the cards.'

Casey made it a double when Kranji (8-1) landed the Bambury Bookmakers Handicap Chase for Arthur Moore.

De Valira (3-1) has always been held in high-regard by Michael O'Brien and the five-year-old went some way to justifying his faith in the Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa Novice Hurdle.

He could finish only 10th when well-fancied for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham but showed his liking for quicker ground on this occasion.

After tracking long-time leader Cuan Na Grai into the straight he quickly went two lengths clear, and despite Paul Nolan's charge rallying well, he held on by a neck.

O'Brien was also claiming a second high-profile win at the meeting after the success of Essex on Monday.

His assistant trainer Denis Cullen said: 'Thankfully the horses are OK again and seem to be over that bit of a cloud they were under.

'He didn't get the clearest of passages at Cheltenham but he has come home very well and done well since, so maybe that run has made a man of him.

'He has plenty of pace and speed and could be the type to go for a decent flat race such as the Cesarewitch in time.

'We'll see how he comes out of this and he will probably go to Punchestown but he is due a bit of a break as well. It was nice, fresh ground today and very safe.'

Gemini Lucy was another to bounce back from a poor showing at Cheltenham with an all-the-way victory in the Tattersalls Ireland Dan Moore Memorial Handicap.

The seven-year-old mare had been in season when disappointing at Prestbury Park but she ran her rivals ragged with only Old Flame able to mount any kind of challenge.

However, Jessica Harrington's 5-2 favourite had plenty in hand and powered clear in the straight for a 17-length victory.

Harrington said: 'She just galloped them into the ground. She was in season at Cheltenham but she's also better going right-handed and on good ground.

'Today is the best she's ever jumped. She'll probably go for the Swordlestown Cup at Punchestown next.'

Carndale became Noel Meade's 100th Irish winner of the season and initiated a double for the trainer in the Menolly Homes Handicap Chase.

Niall ?Slippers' Madden partnered Carndale (14-1) to his one-length success after intended pilot Paul Carberry was stood down following an earlier fall.

Carberry's sister Nina was in action though, and she completed Meade's double aboard Jered (7-2) in the closing Kilbrew Recuperation & Nursing Care Independent Living Demense INH Flat Race.

(C) PA Sport