Whisper wears down Cross in Stayers

Whisper wore down At Fishers Cross to grind out victory in the Silver Cross Stayers' Hurdle at Aintree.

At Fishers Cross was the 11-8 favourite following a fine third in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham, with Nicky Henderson's Whisper a 4-1 shot, graduating from handicap company following success in the Coral Cup.

At Fishers Cross and Zarkandar disputed the lead from flag-fall and while Zarkandar dropped away tamely in the straight, the market leader stuck to his guns. But Barry Geraghty was soon in his slipstream aboard Whisper, who had set off bathed in sweat, and after a brief battle after the final flight, the Seven Barrows runner won by a length.

At Fishers Cross was not disgraced given he jumped out to his right for much of the extended three-mile journey, and having looked likely to be tailed off at one stage, admirable grey Thousand Stars made late headway to pick up minor honours in third.

Geraghty said: "He got himself into a bit of state beforehand and was over-hyped and over-revved and I thought for most of the way I had no chance, but he does stay.

"At Fishers Cross is hard to pass and even when I did I thought I was in trouble again, but in fairness to my lad, and considering the state he was in, he didn't give up and stayed really well."

Henderson added: "You've got to admire him, he's been in two mega-battles already (Ffos Las and Cheltenham). His Gold Cup was months ago at Ffos Las, the Welsh Champion Hurdle, when he was beaten a nose.

"When the handicapper put him up 6lb I thought his chance in the Coral Cup had gone, but Nico (De Boinville) rode him and took 5lb off.

"It was just a question of whether we could go to the well once more. He got very warm before the race, which is usually a sign of a horse who has done enough, but he's very brave. He should be going chasing, but we'll see."

At Fishers Cross's trainer Rebecca Curtis said: "He's run a blinder and has been beaten by a good horse. He lost a shoe on the first circuit. Whether that's made a difference, I doubt it."

Frank Berry, racing manager for owner JP McManus, added: "He's been beaten by a better horse on the day. We'll see how he is in the next week or two. Punchestown is there if that's where we want to go."

Willie Mullins, trainer of third home Thousand Stars, said: "He showed there's spark there yet and we're looking forward to going to Punchestown with him. I think he took a little blow, maybe, going down the back and when he got his second wind and passed a horse it spurred him on."