THOMAS Hobson showed that an absence of over two years from the National Hunt field has done nothing to dull his powers over jumps as he landed the Grade 3 Kevin McManus Bookmaker Grimes Hurdle for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.

A Royal Ascot winner and successful in the Doncaster Cup since he last ran over jumps, the nine-year-old was reappearing just two weeks after an unplaced run in the Gold Cup. For his return to hurdling he faced just four rivals but they included the Cheltenham winner Band Of Outlaws and he gave the Susannah Ricci-owned winner most to do. The even-money favourite produced a nice display from the front and he recovered well from a mistake two out to wing the last and that looked to have sealed victory for the Mullins runner.

However, Thomas Hobson, who was rated 150 when he last ran over jumps, needed the line late on as he scrambled home by a neck from Band Of Outlaws who will surely be a major player for next month’s Guinness Galway Hurdle.

“He really enjoyed himself and he jumped well apart from two out which wasn’t ideal as it came at a time when I wanted to get him rolling down the straight. He’s done it well though and it’s a lovely pot to win with him,” said the winning rider.

Townend promptly followed up on Edward O’Grady’s Rasiym (5/2) in the Dundrum House Hotel Maiden Hurdle. The Brian Comer-owned four-year-old, who was placed on his jumping debut at Roscommon, had the measure of the favourite Fightfortheroses from the turn in and he defeated that rival by six lengths. Rasiym will head to Galway for a novice hurdle.

It was an evening to remember for Paul Cawley who notched up his first winner as a professional when he guided Denis Hogan’s Helly Hansum (12/1) to victory in the first division of the 80-95 rated three-mile handicap hurdle. The winning rider, who spent time in America earlier this year, only joined the paid ranks last week.

Mikey Hamill rode his third winner since returning to Ireland as Courtin Bb (11/2) improved on a succession of placed efforts to take the second division of the three-mile handicap hurdle. The nine-year-old is owned, bred and trained by Villierstown-based trainer Patrick Duffy and she is the only horse under his care.

Thomas Hobson and Rachel Robins after winning the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Grimes Hurdle

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