See also » Handshake seals the deal late on for the Durkans
We had a winner here last year but it’s 50 years since Carrow Boy won here in my father’s colours. He was a very dear horse to the family,. Philip said he kept galloping. We were a little bit unlucky in Galway and we felt we would have been closer, if not beaten, Columbus. We had a little peck on landing in Galway and the same happened here today with Columbus. That’s what happens in racing and it was our turn today to get the rub of the green. Gary Bannon isn’t here today, he’s off at the sales and he’s already spent the prize-money on yearlings!. He picked out this horse and has done a fantastic job with him since. He came to us with a little issue, he had a small hole in his hoof which put a lot of people off. We saw value in him and bought him. In fairness it’s turned out very well for us and Gary had him spot on for today. He can only improve. He’ll probably get another run and then get a break because he likes that better ground. Stature-wise he’s probably not going to take heavy winter ground. He’ll probably get a little bit of a break over the winter and then we’ll target a spring campaign. William Durkan, trainer

A novice hurdle for four years old and upwards
Weights - 4-y-o 11st 5-y-o and up 11st 2lbs. Mares allowed 7lbs.
Penalties - Penalties (Academy Hurdles and 3-y-o Junior N.H. Hurdles excluded) - Winner of a hurdle race 5lb extra Of two hurdle races 10lb extra