JUST four days after making his return to action at Leopardstown, the Jessica Harrington-trained Supasundae came back to form to record a resounding success in the two and a half-mile conditions hurdle.

A talented novice hurdler last season, the Alan and Ann Potts-owned son of Galileo showed that there could be some good prizes to be won with him in the spring as he disposed of quite an interesting field. The long absent Sure Reef, last season’s useful novice Tycoon Prince and the 148-rated Monksland were all in opposition.

However, none could live with Robbie Power’s mount who relished the step up in trip from two miles. Supasundae, who is the trainer’s first winner for the owners, held a definite lead from the third last and wasn’t long in seizing control of this race. The 7/4 favourite had Monksland in some difficulty coming away from two out and then pulled further clear from the turn in. A bold jump at the last put the seal on a six and a half-length success.

“We took a chance running him back so quick but Robbie got off him in Leopardstown and said he wants this trip and that run probably helped blow the cobwebs away,” said Harrington. “He jumped much better today and I’d say he likes that nice ground too. I’ll speak to Alan and Ann about where we go now. Maybe something like the Boyne Hurdle could suit him.”

Willie Mullins could have a fine long term prospect on his hands in Redhotfillypeppers who was ridden to victory by owner David Dunsdon in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (Pro/Am) Flat Race. A £200,000 purchase following a Necarne point-to-point victory for Donnchadh Doyle last May, this four-year-old won with something to spare despite looking green at various stages.

The daughter of Robin Des Champs ran off the bend past the stands but was soon back on even keel. In the closing stages former Fegentri world champion, Dunsdon, who was riding his first winner in Ireland, didn’t have to get too vigorous for his mount to score by almost three lengths.

“She’s a good sort and she’s a staying mare. Her dam is a half-sister to the dam of On His Own and she’s more of a chaser really,” declared Mullins. “She will go for a winners’ bumper next.”

Earlier, the Mullins-trained Childrens List turned in an exemplary round of jumping from the front in the extended three-mile beginners’ chase. The Susannah Ricci-owned gelding looked most assured at all stages under Ruby Walsh and, having popped the last, he stayed on stoutly to deny fellow 2/1 joint-favourite Edwulf by half a length.

“He jumped super as he did when Paul (Townend) rode him at Fairyhouse (finished fifth to Martello Tower),” commented Walsh. “The step up in trip definitely suited him well and we felt it would as he had a couple of good runs in staying handicaps last season.”

The improving Duke Cass made it three triumphs in succession in the two and a half-mile handicap hurdle, which came just four days after he struck at Limerick’s Christmas meeting. The 5/2 favourite travelled especially well for Donagh Meyler and looked to have his rivals hard at work when he took a couple of lengths out of the field coming away from two out. Duke Cass was all out in the closing stages though as Mine Now’s steady late charge carried him to within a head.

“He jumped well and he’s very tough for a four-year-old. The plan would be to head to Down Royal for a rated race at the end of January,” stated Karl Thornton, who trains the winner for Brian Parker.

After taking a kick to his lower back following a fall from Arkwrisht in the first, Bryan Cooper missed steering Dakota Moirette to victory in the juvenile maiden hurdle. The Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding, aboard whom Jack Kennedy deputised, was the 7/4 favourite on the back of two solid runs in defeat and he took advantage of a good opportunity.

The Voix Du Nord gelding maintained a useful advantage from before the straight to defeat his staying-on stablemate Icario by three and three-quarter lengths.

“It probably wasn’t the strongest of races but he deserved it and he had conditions to suit,” commented Gordon Elliott’s representative Olly Murphy. “He’s a straightforward sort and jumps well. In all probability he’s more one for handicaps than graded races.”

It was an afternoon to savour for 22-year-old jockey Danny Hand who rode the first winner of his career aboard the Dermot McLoughlin-trained Tethra (14/1) in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.

Fresh from a run at Down Royal on Monday, the Sean Gallagher-owned filly scythed her way through the pack to lead well before the last and she held off Rapid Fritz by half a length.

“She had a little wind op last year and probably coming from off the pace suited her. She’s a grand mare who keeps galloping and she might jump a fence in time,” reported the trainer.

Jockey Dylan Robinson has enjoyed an industrious post Christmas period and he made it three winners within a week as Show And Go (9/2) edged out Mount Brandon in the two-mile handicap chase. The latter made a bold bid from the front in his bid to improve on his second in this last year and Show And Go’s chances weren’t helped with a mistake at the final fence as he was trying to close in.

However, Show And Go bore down relentlessly on the leader on the run in and he forced his way past in the final stride.

“His owner John Phelan is based in the UK and that’s the second race this horse has won for him this season, I’m delighted for him,” declared Henry de Bromhead. “He got a super ride from Dylan, who has had a great week, and this trip suits him well, although he is prone to the odd mistake.”

Acting Stewards

Mrs J.O. Onions, W. Flood, J. Weld, Ms. M. Cosgrave, S. Quinn

Horse To Follow

SHE’LLBEALLRIGHT (J. Grace): This filly produced her best effort to date when securing third at 33/1 in the handicap hurdle won by Tethra. This lightly-raced type can improve further and a similar race should be within her grasp.

Thief on the mend

HENRY de Bromhead reported that Identity Thief continues to improve after pulling-up very sore in the Grade 1 novice chase won by Min last week.

Sunni May death

JESSICA Harrington was dealt a blow with the loss of her talented novice hurdler Sunni May who dropped dead of a heart attack last Friday.