Fairyhouse report: On just her fourth start over fences, Lovely Present under Ross Geraghty, gave his father, Tucker, a win in the Dunboyne Handicap Chase. The trainer was responsible for What Odds, third in the event two years ago behind Bizet. How Ironic was fourth for the local family in this contest 12 months ago.
The chestnut mare was always to the fore, she made a mistake at the 10th, led after three out and after being pressed at the next, edged clear at the last and stayed on. The former point-to-point, dual bumper and course and distance handicap hurdle winner, was six lengths too strong for Forest Leaves at the finish. Only four of the 14 participants completed.
Offaly's last piece of form had got significant boosts from De Valira, Arrive Sir Clive, Franklins Trail and Wins Now in the 26 days since that course maiden hurdle. Fifth then, Noel Meade's charge was supported from 2 to 1 into 6 to 4 to go four places better here. In the hands of Paul Carberry, he led from the seventh, drew clear from three out and wasn't extended to win by 3¾#189; lengths. Carberry completed a double on Hearthstead Dream for Tony Martin in the two-mile handicap hurdle. This was a second win in as many days for Martin.
Hearthstead Dream has not had Carberry on his back since scoring at Punchestown in February. In similar fashion, the combination won more convincingly than the 2¾#189;-length margin would suggest. Kipper may have been backed from 4 to 1 in the morning into 5 to 2 but he ran no sort of race as Justpourit made it nine winners in as many racing days for Dessie Hughes in the beginners chase. Roger Loughran reeled in Dunguaire Lad to lead at the last, and he had to bustle him up close home to hold that one's renewed effort by two lengths.
The complexion of the opener changed with three significant non-runners. This left punters interested in one horse, namely The Budgee, who was backed from 2 to 1 into 6 to 4.
Michael Hourigan junior's point-to-point winner led at the last and the half-brother to seven-time chase winner Tommy Carson was kept up to his work by Andrew McNamara to win.
Green Black led from the fourth and made the rest under Sonny Carey to take the two-mile handicap hurdle by seven lengths for Arthur Moore.
Blackson Zulu for John and Harry Fowler repelled all challengers up the straight in the bumper, beating off Alexander Buffet by 1¾#189; lengths.
Meanwhile, racing went ahead at Tramore yesterday as officials declared themselves happy with conditions after Sunday's meeting was washed out.
