Thursday 26 February 2015 16:44, UK
A review of the pick of Thursday's action from Thurles as Sub Lieutenant and Rubi Light were both on target.
Sub Lieutenant, the lesser fancied of the two Gigginstown House Stud runners, took the honours in the Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle at Thurles.
Milsean was sent off the 4/5 favourite but he had to play second fiddle in the Grade Two to Sub Lieutenant, who produced a neat turn of foot from the last to land the spoils.
Bryan Cooper, Gigginstown's retained rider, took Milsean to the front three out after Total Recall set the pace.
It all looked to be going to plan as the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old took a couple of lengths out of the field early in the straight.
However, Barry Geraghty did not give up on Sub Lieutenant (7/2) and got a good jump at the last out of Sandra Hughes' charge before bounding clear by five and a half lengths.
"I was very disappointed with him at Leopardstown, and was a bit worried about the ground coming here, as we had thought he was a good ground horse. Barry gave him a super ride though and was tough on him," said Hughes, whose late father Dessie won the last three runnings of this race.
"The cheek-pieces really helped and he is as tough as old boots.
"That's the fourth winner for Osborne Lodge in a row in the race."
Rubi Light landed his first success for two years with a gutsy display in the Thurles Racecourse Rated Chase.
Robbie Hennessy's stable stalwart had tried to make all under Davy Russell but looked set for another defeat when headed by He'llberemembered and the strong-travelling Arnaud as the race hotted up over the last two fences.
However, Rubi Light (13/8 favourite) is nothing if not game and outfought the Cooper-ridden Arnaud on the run-in to score by three-quarters of a length.
"I thought the trip would be too short for him, but he outstayed him. Davy said he was always very confident on him," said Hennessy.
"It's great to get him back, as he has had plenty of problems and lives outside in a specially designed paddock. He was bursting blood vessels last year and also had a wind operation.
"He's in the Grand National and we'll have a look at it as there's only one Grand National and my dad (Bill Hennessy, owner) has had a winner at Cheltenham but never at Aintree!
"That'll be a bit of a boost for dad as he hasn't been well the last few weeks."
