THE Black Russian capitalised on a decent timber figure to make all in the John Mulhern Handicap Hurdle at Ballinrobe.

Rated 7lb lower in this sphere than he is over fences, the Fergus Hanley-trained 10-year-old was always to the fore under Rachael Blackmore, who got the fractions spot-on. She kicked again when a handful of challengers loomed up heading to the last and The Black Russian (7-1) swept clear to account for Runyon Rattler by seven lengths.

Hanley said: "The plan worked and Rachael gave him a dinger of a ride. I knew he would go on soft ground but I was a bit worried when heavy was in the description. He probably doesn't have the pace for two miles on good ground at his age. He has five won now so we are happy enough with him.

"He should have won his last two but you couldn't blame Stephen (Gray) either. Things just didn't work out, he jumped off to make it the last day at Kilbeggan but met every bit of traffic. He couldn't get out coming to the second-last that day.

"He might go to Sligo for a chase if it's not too heavy. It doesn't look like it's going to dry out. I just wouldn't like real winter ground with him. I'd stay over hurdles with him but there is nothing really for him. He doesn't run left-handed so that rules out a lot."

SPRINTED CLEAR

Tornado Watch (11-8 favourite) was bumped up 12lb for his win at Downpatrick but the way he sprinted clear of Mic Milano after the last to follow up in the Tuam Herald Handicap Hurdle suggested there is still plenty more to come.

Father Jed was another to supplement a recent success, beating Bawnmore Lass by a length and a quarter in the Brendan McNulty Memorial Handicap Hurdle as the 7-2 joint-favourite.

Listen Dear made a sparkling start to her career over fences in the Connacht Tribune Beginners Chase. Ruby Walsh was keen to lead on the 5-6 favourite and soon established a clear advantage.

Mick Thonic closed the gap to a couple of lengths at the third-last, but Walsh let out an inch of rein and Listen Dear, who has a Grade 3 victory over timber under her belt, went away again to record a 20-length success from Lucky Pat.

Walsh said: "She did it well, she jumped super for a first-timer and she had the class. She had class on form, and she showed that again today. She had schooled well at home and she is a is a winning point-to-pointer which obviously helps. I don't know where she'll go now, it's up to Willie (Mullins)."

Joseph O'Brien dominated the finish of the Sponsors Day At Ballinrobe 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle, with Lord Justice edging out stable companion Zig Zag.

Lord Justice was beaten when well backed at Listowel but that didn't stop the money coming for him again and he was sent off the 6-4 favourite. He made ground to touch down over the last in a share of the lead but was all out to repel the late thrust of Zig Zag, holding on by a short-head.

Winning jockey J J Slevin said: "I thought I was beat. I looked at the replay coming in and thought I was done on the line. He's a grand horse and improved from the last day. The ground is probably as soft as he wants it. He will be a nice horse going forward."

DOZEN LENGTHS

Freedom Statue (10-1) hadn't made too much of an impact in handicap company but stepped forward to hammer Inchiquin High by 12 lengths in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Bashful Beauty looked booked for second at best in the J.B. Staunton Memorial Chase when relinquishing the lead to Eight Till Late approaching the final fence. However, Jack Kennedy conjured another effort out of the 100-30 shot and he got back up by half a length.

The race lost some its lustre when Another Rebel showed the darker side to his nature and was withdrawn before the start.

Moss Grove (20-1) showed precious little in two previous outings in 2016 but bounced back to form to land the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase under Shane Crimin.

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