Harchibald failed to sparkle on his comeback run in the Grade Two €100,000 Tipperary Hurdle at Tipperary yesterday, finishing fourth to Scarthy Lad under Barry Geraghty, who provided Clonakilty trainer Thomas O'Leary with the biggest win of his career to date.
Scarthy Lad moved through to lead after the third last flight, and although Harchibald ranged close to the winner at the next, Scarthy Lad proved five and a half lengths too strong for runner-up Maralan, with Harchibald tiring badly into fourth.
Trainer Noel Meade was absent but his partner, Gillian O'Brien, said: "Harchibald just got very tired and blew up. Although he wouldn't be at his best on a heavy surface, the ground was not an excuse today."
Cashmans Bookmakers introduced Scarthy Lad at 50 to 1 for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle while pushing Harchibald to 14 to 1 (from 10 to 1) for the race.
Elsewhere on a cracking card, English trainer Brendan Duke recorded a double, opening with Zafonical Storm, ridden by David Moran, in the Listed El Gran Senor Stakes. It later emerged that Zafonical Storm is a half-sister to the dam of Arc winner Rail Link.
Ninety minutes later, Duke's mixed double was completed when his Openide landed the Grade Three novice chase under an excellent ride from Davy Russell. Russell made steady progress from three out on the son of Key Of Luck, making his own luck with a forceful drive at the final fence, gaining ground to lead and eventually win by five lengths over Rights Of Man.
The opening five-furlong Listed Abergwaun Stakes also went for export with Peace Offering winning for British sprint king Dandy Nicholls, a third win in Ireland for his jockey son, Adrian.
Nenagh trainer Tom Hogan has the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham next March as a long-term target for his Kalderon following the gelding's good win in the Grade Three novice hurdle.
John Oxx's Noelani signed off from her racing career with a win in the Group Three Coolmore Stud Home Of Champions Concorde Stakes, under Fran Berry.
Oxx said: "She has been unlucky this season and that race was the last throw of the dice for her as she goes to stud now."
Colm Murphy saddled Spes Ultima to win the Time For A Run Handicap Hurdle under a strong Shay Barry ride.
n Timmy Murphy chalked up a 47 to 1 treble at Uttoxeter for three different trainers. He kicked off with victory on Weet A Head (100 to 30) for Reg Hollinshead and doubled up on the Brendan Powell-trained Tora Bora (2 to 1). He completed his trio on Henrietta Knight's Cruising River (11 to 4 favourite).
