TRAINER Gordon Elliott scored an across-the-card treble with exciting El Cairos’ (1/5 favourite) success at Thurles on Thursday, as his Supreme Novices’ Hurdle-fancy survived another final flight error in winning the ThurlesRaces.ie Maiden Hurdle.

Elliott had earlier completed a double at Scottish course Ayr and, ridden again by Jack Kennedy, El Cairos raced behind the leaders on the outer and, having quickened to lead approaching the final flight, blundered badly at that obstacle.

However, the Rabson and BJM Limited-owned gelding quickly found his feet and scored impressively from Roc Dino.

Relieved Elliott reported: “It is job done and he never came out of second gear. Jack said it was his fault at the last, as he said he should have either taken him back or asked him, but I loved the way he came back on the bridle straight away and you’d have to be impressed by that.

“We came here looking for good ground, so I was nervous, but it was either come here or to Navan or Punchestown next week, which was getting too close to Cheltenham. Jack said the boot he has is unbelievable.

“He’ll learn plenty from today, and even racing in a big field will do him no harm. He’ll go straight to Cheltenham and he’ll be way better on better ground.”

Lucky McLernon

Jockey Kennedy later completed a double when steering the William McLernon-trained, Mi Lucky Cailin (15/2) to win the Killinan Handicap Hurdle for owners the Deadman’s Inn Syndicate.

The former bumper winner either led or raced prominently throughout the race and, in the end, went clear on the run-in to beat Gaelic Des Chastys by six and a half lengths.

Meath-based McLernon reported: “She had finished second to some good mares previously, we have her back in form and she was entitled to win that race today. She loved the ground, and loves work and pleasing you.

“She is a joy to have and Jack made things easier today. We have six or eight horse in training, it’s not easy but days like today make it fun!”

”She’ll be a fine mare”

Willie Mullins, Paul Townend and owner Rich Ricci combined to win the Thurles Maiden Hurdle with French-import Charme De Faust (5/6 favourite), who scored readily from 11 rivals.

By the same sire, Goliath Du Berlais, as Sunday’s impressive winning stablemate Love Sign d’Aunou, Charme De Faust led after the second last in the race and scored easily by nine lengths from Dawn Coming.

Townend commented: “She handled the ground well, will improve from it as she had a couple of blows and she jumped brilliantly. I was able to use her French experience and I think there is plenty of improvement in her.

“I think she’ll have a nice future and, when she strengthens up, she’ll be a fine mare.”

OWNER J.P. McManus, jockey Mark Walsh and trainer Enda Bolger combined to win the Holycross Maiden Hurdle with Blow Wind Blow (3/1), who made all the running when scoring by 13 lengths from runner-up Not Leaving Yet.

Regarding his useful 104-rated winner, Bolger reported: “He is a big 17 hands horse and we’re obviously looking forward to him for next season. We’ll stay going now, as he goes on that soft ground. He will be a lovely horse when he goes over a fence, but we’ll keep doing what we’re doing at the moment. He has a big frame to fill into.”

Gallant grey

Another front-running grey, Pebble Bleu (4/1 joint-favourite), landed the concluding Horse & Jockey Handicap Hurdle, scoring under jockey Michael Kenneally for trainer Colin Motherway and owners Drury Tea and Coffee Limited.

The seven-year-old held a clear lead throughout the two-mile, six-furlong contest and held on well to score by three and a quarter lengths from Pookie Holler.

Motherway stated: “It was a great ride and Michael gets on great with her. He knows how to ride her, just lets her at it and she does her own thing. She is honest out.

“The owner wants to cover her, but I’m trying not to for another while, as there are more races to be won with her, especially over fences. She just has to get things her own way, as she enjoys being out in front.”

RACING began with the Leugh Beginners Chase, which was won by the Margaret Flynn-trained Toor Khov (7/1) under jockey Liam Quinlan. Held up in rear, the eight-year-old eventually improved to lead approaching the final fence, to score by four lengths from Insouciant Dallier.

Flynn reported: “It has been a long time between wins but he tries hard and is ground dependent, so we were worried today. He is better on better ground, as he breathes easier on it.

“The lads who work with him, Tommy Condon and Johnny Kirwan, couldn’t see him being beaten as he was in great form.

“He is a bit daft, he spent all morning trying to kick the hind shoes off himself in the stable and we weren’t able to clip him either, or anything like that. He is just very highly strung. His breeder Jim Nash, from Scarriff, is a wonderful owner and is very patient.”

Fire keeps lit

Half an hour later, Cold Old Fire (25/1) landed the Racing Again February 5 Maiden Hunters Chase, for owners the Tutti Fruitti Syndicate, jockey Darragh Allen and trainer Ray Hurley.

With 1/2 favourite Magic Sadler exiting at the first fence and second-favourite Keep On Dreaming later pulling up, Cold Old Fire gradually improved into contention and, having led entering the straight, finished well to score by 21 lengths from Our Story.

Hurley stated: “We expected him to be placed definitely, but obviously the favourite fell and it opened up that way. We were hoping to finish second, so we’re delighted with him, as he is a small little horse but is as tough as nails and jumps out of the stable raring to go every morning.

“Darragh had a treble last Sunday, where he had his 100th point-to-point winner and rides the odd horse for me. The four-member syndicate are local and are headed by Tom Keogh, who bred him too.”