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Review thurles 4th Nov

Thu 4th Nov 2010, 17:30

Glencove Marina secured his first victory for trainer Eoin Griffin with a fine display in the Thurles Chase.

The 5-2 shot, formerly trained by Willie Mullins, has had plenty of injury problems over the past few years and was pulled up on his debut for his new yard last month.

Always travelling well this time though, he took up the running from Rare Bob in the home straight and soon went clear under Barry Geraghty to score by four lengths from the staying-on Notre Pere.

Griffin said: "That's a nice win to get. He is a very eager horse, always on his toes and as a result he is a bit hard on himself.

"Barry said he'd be better again for that run and that he travelled well to after two out before getting a bit tired. Conditions suited him today.

"He is in the Hennessy, but we've got no real plans as we'll be taking it one day at a time with him."

Griffin went on to complete a double as Under The Arch (7-1) took the concluding Toboradora Flat Race.

Ruby Walsh produced a typically brilliant ride to score on the Willie Mullins-trained Hampshire Express (4-1) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.

"I'm delighted with that. A lot of mine are needing a run but he jumps well and Ruby got one good run out of him from before the last," said Mullins.

"He won't go for anything flashy and he could have another couple of runs before Christmas.

"He shows more at home than he has done so far on the track."

Francis Flood's 9-1 shot Wicklow Lad ran away with the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase by 17 lengths.

The trainer's son, Fran, said: "We'd given up on him and we were giving it one last throw of the dice here.

"He'd shown nothing lately. He is in again at Limerick on Monday. We'll see how he is, he may run there."< Gran Torino (100-30) took the Cashel Maiden Hurdle for Noel Meade and Paul Carberry, while Tommy Stack's 9-4 chance Magen's Star came good in the Templemore Mares Maiden Hurdle.