JASON The Militant further bolstered Henry de Bromhead’s already tremendously strong Champion Hurdle hand as he returned from 104 days off the track to bolt up in the Grade 3 Red Mills Trial Hurdle.

From a yard that already houses Honeysuckle and Aspire Tower, the Peter Michael-owned and bred seven-year-old did his prospects for the two-mile hurdling crown no harm at all with a display of some authority.

A close third in the Morgiana Hurdle, Jason The Militant (7/4) had to give 9lb to Petit Mouchoir who was rated his superior by 2lb on a mark of 155.

The weight concession was no obstacle for Rachael Blackmore’s mount who made all the running and picked up in commanding fashion from the turn-in to defeat his aforementioned rival by seven and a half lengths.

“He’s a horse we’ve always thought a lot of and that was great. He’s in the Champion Hurdle. This race does come up a week sooner than was originally thought and the Aintree Hurdle is another option,” said de Bromhead. “I thought it was a very good performance giving away plenty of weight to the second.”

Gibney wins again

Tom Gibney’s impressive season continued into the Tommy Carberry Handicap Hurdle where the useful mare Rhythm Divine (10/1) struck on her first outing since late October. The Thomas and Walter O’Connor-owned mare looked to be in trouble before the straight but rallied in great style for Darragh O’Keeffe to lead before the last and defeat Ten Ten by five lengths.

“I’m delighted for her owners. Tom (O’Connor) had a tough time with losing his wife Mandy recently so it’s just great this mare has won,” commented Gibney. “I thought she’d need the run and that she would prefer better ground and hopefully she will be back here over Easter.”

Crawford success

Larne trainer Stuart Crawford has unleashed some really promising young horses over the last few months and he took the wraps off another in O’Toole (25/1) who was a wide-margin winner of the Ian Smith Memorial (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.

The talented young professional Jordan Gainford was on board this Crawford-owned son of Mahler who struck for home early in the straight and maintained an impressive gallop to score by 15 lengths and look a horse with quite a future.

“We thought he was a nice horse and he should have been going point-to-pointing but we had to get him out somewhere. He’s a lovely horse and a very good jumper and he’s for sale,” stated the trainer.

The winner was due to be ridden by the trainer’s brother Ben but he failed to complete the Covid clearance questionnaire which resulted in Gainford picking up a chance winner.

Another Bobbyjo for Mullins

THE Willie Mullins domination of the Bobbyjo Chase continued as Acapella Bourgeois made it back-to-back victories in this Grade 3 with a typically bold effort from the front.

On his third start of a season which began with a creditable second to Al Boum Photo at Tramore, the 6/4 favourite was partnered by Danny Mullins with Paul Townend on board the former Irish Grand National hero Burrows Saint.

The latter, who was in receipt of 6lb, loomed up to join his stablemate three fences from home but the Slaneyville Syndicate-owned Acapella Bourgeois was back in front after the next and kept on strongly to score by just under five lengths.

“He loves Fairyhouse. I thought he had a hard race in the Thyestes (fifth) and he probably came here a little fresh as I hadn’t asked him much since then. On that performance he’d be well entitled to go to Aintree for the Grand National,” stated Mullins.

“I think Burrows Saint found that ground too tacky. There’s still improvement to come from him and we are training him for Aintree.”

Breakeven’s target

Earlier, Tom Mullins got among the winners courtesy of Breakeven (5/2) in the Red Mills EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle. This Rita Byrne-owned gelding was left in front when Johngus crashed out at the second last and he soon went clear for Sean O’Keeffe.

Stranger Danger challenged the winner’s advantage late on but he still finished with two and a quarter lengths down on the winner. Breakeven has the valuable final of this series at the Punchestown Festival as his target.

Luke shocks

Laid Back Luke defied top weight and a two-year absence from the track to spring a 40/1 shock at the age of 13 in the 80-109 rated handicap hurdle over an extended two and three-quarter miles.

The Robbie Colgan-ridden front-runner lost the lead at the second last but regained the initiative from Mister Butler on the run-in and prevail by two and a half lengths.

“We had semi-retired him but during the summer Robbie took him back into work even though we were so busy. I take no credit for anything as Robbie has done everything with him,” exclaimed a delighted Sheila Lavery, whose brother John owns the winner.

Teahupoo a juvenile star for Robcour

THE card began with a smart effort from Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo who confirmed the promise of his successful Irish debut at this track last month by recording a smooth success in the Grade 3 Norman Colfer Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle.

The Robcour-owned 4/9 appeared to do everything at his leisure under Robbie Power and he asserted in likeable fashion in the closing stages to defeat the hurdling newcomer Tax For Max by seven lengths.

“He’s one to really look forward for next season. He has a few Cheltenham entries but I wouldn’t be surprised if he waited to come back here for a Grade 2 over Easter. He’ll stay very well,” declared the trainer.

Denis Hogan made it five winners from his last 14 runners over jumps as Macgiloney bagged the four-runner Fingal Hygiene And Safety Rated Novice Chase over an extended three miles for Michael Moloney.

Sean Flanagan was on board this stout stayer, who was notching up the seventh success of his career, and the well-supported 3/1 chance defeated Key Commander by two lengths after taking control of this race early in the straight.