Oscar shows good grace
Davy Russell was seen to great effect on Oscar Dan Dan (11-2) when getting the better of Tony McCoy and Ninetieth Minute in the Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
McCoy kicked for home half a mile out, having taken up the running from the veteran Hardy Eustace.
For a while it looked as if he had most of his rivals in trouble, but Catch Me (11-10 favourite) and Andrew McNamara cruised up on the bridle.
However Edward O’Grady’s favourite found disappointingly little and it was left to Oscar Dan Dan and outsider Healys Bar to throw down the challenge.
McCoy still looked to have the race in the bag approaching the last, but a messy leap allowed the challengers to come again.
Oscar Dan Dan found plenty for pressure to win by a neck.
William Hill make Oscar Dan Dan 20-1 for next year's World Hurdle, with Mullins now ready to step his charge back up in trip to three miles.
“He had a good bumper year and had a great win first time over hurdles in Punchestown,” said the trainer.
“But the wheels then fell off from October until April when he came back here and won a good Grade Two.
“He’s come back a different horse this year as he’s grown up and got stronger and I’m delighted he’s won as he won’t have to go chasing yet.
“He was unlucky the last day when he fell at the second-last and I was very hopeful today.
“We’ll look at the big staying races for him and although Big Buck’s won’t be shivering in his boots, maybe he’ll be able to hold his own.”
