THOMAS Hobson picked a most opportune time to recapture his best form as he shrugged aside top weight in the €100,000 Glascarn Handicap Hurdle to helpWillie Mullins’ push for trainer’s championship honours.

Following three days that saw the title battle between Mullins and Elliott ebb and flow, the champion trainer secured the final day feature of the Easter meeting at the expense of his aforementioned rival.

Thomas Hobson had been some way below his best on his last couple of starts and his best form was over appreciably further than this two miles.

However, he produced his best effort yet since going hurdling and he was travelling strongly in the lead for Ruby Walsh nearing the straight. After clearing the second last, the seven-year-old the opened up a commanding advantage over the field which was never likely to be bridged.

The strong-travelling Veinard came through to provide the stiffest resistence but he couldn’t make sufficient inroads into the leader’s advantage and went down by three lengths.

“That a surprise to see him do that off that weight on that ground,” said Mullins. “I think he’s better over further but we took a chance running him on account of the prize money and he’ll go back up in distance for the Ballymore Handicap Hurdle next weekend. During the summer we’ll be looking at going back on the flat with him.”

The bottom weight Returntovendor (16/1) produced much the best effort of his career to bag the valuable Irish Stallion Owners EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle. The Jarlath Fahey-trained seven-year-old began the season rated a mere 86 but two wins along with a string of placed efforts had seen him shoot up 25lb in the weights. Even so, the Pat McCarthy-owned and bred gelding found himself at the foot of the weights and he set out to make the most of this by going straight to the front for Philip Enright.

It was looking ominous when fellow pace-setter Ah Littleluck kicked on turning for home but he gave best after two out and was well held when falling at the last. This allowed the Tramore and Clonmel winner to come home four and a half lengths clear of Billy’s Hope.

Several of the runners didn’t enjoy the best of luck and the fall of Polar Present at the third last hampered both Bargy Lady (fourth) and, most notably, Woods Well (pulled-up).

“It’s unbelieveable to win a pot like this with a horse who has worked his way up from the lower grades,” declared Fahey. “He’s been a very slow learner all the way along but he’s very tough and has won well today after having quite a few hard races this season. He takes his racing well and I’d say he’ll go for a three-mile handicap at Punchestown next week.”

A tremendous season for Maple Mons (9/2) continued as she picked up the BoyleSports Joseph R. O’Reilly Hunters Chase under this season’s leading point-to-point rider Barry O’Neill. Fresh from her fourth point-to-point victory of the campaign on Saturday, the admirable mare was notching up her third hunters chase triumph this term.

The David Christie-owned and trained nine-year-old had this race in safe keeping from early in the straight and finished a dozen lengths clear of B L Swagger.

“She’s some mare and she’s actually been doing most of her winning this season on ground she hates so Barry told me he was going to go wide for better ground,” said Christie. “We’ll let her finish out the point-to-point season and then we could look for something nice for her on the track. She’ll also be covered in the next three or four weeks.”

ELLIOTT DOUBLE

Gordon Elliott ended the day with a double which concluded with an impressive effort from Cracking Smart (13/8) in the two-mile bumper, which moved Jamie Codd three clear of Patrick Mullins in the amateur rider’s championship. This Gigginstown House Stud-owned five-year-old showed up well in a Naas maiden hurdle on his racecourse debut two months previously. Here Cracking Smart seized control of the race turning for home beore a 13-length triumph.

“He’s a nice horse to go hurdling with next season and should make up into a very nice stayer. He’s finished until the autumn,” reported Elliott.

Earlier Elliott’s Potters Point (4/1) showed that he could be set for a good summer in the Flynn Management And Contractors Supporting Ratoath GAA Raceday EBF Beginners Chase. The Gigginstown-owned gelding hadn’t run since winning a maiden hurdle at Galway in October and took well to this new discipline. He jumped and travelled well for Jack Kennedy and, having been joined by Flaviana at the final fence, he kept on resolutely to score by half a length.

“That’s a bit of a surprise but he’s taken well to fences. With his wind he’s always going to appreciate better ground and he’ll stay going for the summer,” declared Elliott.

BIG SURPRISE

A 33/1 surprise was lying in wait in the Today FM Ladies National Handicap Chase where the Aine O’Connor-ridden Coldstonesober notched up his first win in just under two years. Now an eight times winner from 82 career starts, the Jimmy Finn-owned and trained stalwart produced an assured round of jumping in a race where half of the 12-runner field completed.

Coldstonesober was left doing battle with Mtada Supreme when Cecil Corbett and Whatareudoingtome both fell at the second last and he stayed on gamely to finish with four lengths to spare.

“The horses weren’t in the best of form towards the end of last year but they are back in good form now,” commented Finn, who also sent out a winner at Cork the previous afternon. “He likes nice ground and he might go to Tipperary next month for a handicap chase.”

Adrian Keatley’s Drumconnor Lad, who showed some decent form in bumpers, build on a couple of encouraging outings over timber in the Lilly Bain Bathroom And Tiles Supporting Newry RFC Maiden Hurdle.

Tamlough Boy was travelling smoothly in the lead facing up to the last two flights but Davy Russell had yet to ask Drumconnor Lad for his all and the 6/1 chance pounced in the final yards. The David Keys-owned son of Mahler crossed the line with half a length to spare.

“He bumped into a very good horse (Ballyward) when he was second in a bumper at Christmas and we’ve discovered since then that he doesn’t want really soft ground,” reported the trainer, who was sending out his first winner of the year. “He could go to Punchestown for a two and a half-mile handicap hurdle next week.”

A fine meeting for Noel Meade ended with the victory of Half The Odds (11/2) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Flat Race. The winning pointer, who looks excellent value on the £20,000 she cost after winning at Tallow, was progressing nicely from her debut second at Wexford earlier in the month. She struck the front for Danny Benson entering the last furlong and finished with two and a quarter lengths to spare over the staying on newcomer Dalouga.

“We bought her after she won her point and I thought she’d win at Wexford on what she was showing us. She was good there and got a very good ride from Danny,” said Meade of the Modebest Group Holdings-owned daughter of Flemensfirth.

“The two and a half-mile trip helped her and she’s finished for the season.”

Hamilton ban

JOCKEY Tom Hamilton picked up a two-day whip ban after partnering Ratoute Yutty into third in the mares’ bumper.

ACTING STEWARDS

J.M. McGrath, P. Molony, G.V. Magee, M.C. Hickey, P.D. Matthews

Horse To Follow

NARCISSISTIC (N. Meade): He couldn’t match Cracking Smart in the bumper but still ran well to finish a clear second on his first outing for 13 months. A bumper success should be well within his reach.

Attendance

Fairyhouse manager Peter Roe was very pleased with the attendance over the three days. Although the attendance figures appear to be back ever so slightly, the number of actual paying customers was up as he noted the new ticketing and turnstile system in place for this year’s meeting is a lot more accurate in terms of numbers.