Coolnacritta and Mark McDonagh © Photo Healy Racing
Recent Fairyhouse winner Coolnacritta (6/4 into 11/10 fav) was preferred to Downthecellar (2/1) in the market ahead of the Ardmore Handicap Hurdle and came out on top on the track as well.
The Windsor Knot gelding was always prominent and jumped well for substitute rider Mark McDonagh (deputising for Mike O’Connor who suffered a collarbone injury at Punchestown on Tuesday).
In front three out, the 6-year-old stayed on well to account for Downthecellar by two and a quarter lengths with Mater Matuta (25/1) filling third spot.
Winning trainer Mark Fahey said: "We were kind of forced to run here because he was knocked out of 95s after he won at the weekend.
"He went up eight pounds for his win on Saturday and we came in here with a five-pound penalty. We were rolling the dice a little bit, but it worked out grand.
"He came out of the race the other day fine and he didn't do much since. We didn't see any reason why we shouldn't run him today.
"He is very, very ground dependent and we are lucky that the ground has stayed good for so long. As soon as the rain comes, he will go out."
Quotes from Donal Murphy
