All Class leads over the last from Coole Arcade © Photo Healy Racing
The 10/11 favourite All Class was a comfortable winner of the Irish Thoroughbred Welfare Council Best Turned-Out League Handicap Hurdle.
Davy Russell, deputising for the sidelined Donagh Meyler, settled the progressive five-year-old in mid-division on the outer. The French-bred went third travelling well early in the straight and was sent on before the last to account for Coole Arcade (7/2) by three and a quarter lengths. Excelcior (20/1) and A Different World (14/1) completed the placings.
Russell was completing a double after Au Fleuron in the second race.
This was a fifth win of 2021 for All Class who scored twice on the Flat and once over hurdles for David Dunne.
She was an easy winner over fences on her previous start for winning owner /trainer Ronan McNally who said: "She looked well enough in on her hurdle mark compared to her chase mark if that was realistic.
“I didn’t do a whole pile with her since her last run. She was a wee bit stiff and sore behind so we just freshened her up. I think that’s the way she wants to be trained anyway.
“I was disappointed Donagh Meyler couldn’t ride her but he rang me last night to say he was sick. Davy gave her a peach of a ride — switched her off and did all the right things.
“She’s not entered over Christmas. We’ll see what the handicapper does and make a plan from there. She’s just a fun mare to have.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
