Workmanlike Fil Dor gets the job done to remain Triumph Hurdle favourite

Sunday: Fairyhouse

Fil Dor remained a best-priced 6-1 favourite for the JCB Triumph Hurdle with BoyleSports and Sky Bet after making it two out of two over hurdles in the Grade 3 Bar One Racing Juvenile Hurdle.

In the hands of Davy Russell, the Doctor Dino gelding had a lot more on his plate here than on his debut romp at Down Royal four weeks previously, with a good horse to beat in recent Punchestown scorer Lunar Power, and the latter looked to have him in a bit of trouble jumping the second last.

However, Fil Dor began to get on top on the run to the last and a fine jump at that flight was exactly what was needed. In a battle of two smart juveniles, he pulled clear on the run-in to score by a length and a quarter with the remainder 11 lengths and further in their wake.

Winning trainer Gordon Elliott said: "He was just professional. Davy said he was asleep the whole way and did what he had to do – he only had to give him one dig. Softer ground would suit him but it was a nice performance, he did it well.

"We will have a look at Leopardstown, but ground could be a thing so we will probably put him in the Grade 1 at Chepstow too. We will go to one of them."

Double for Honeysuckle pair

Half an hour after Honeysuckle's success, Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore landed the Grade A handicap hurdle with the Robcour-owned Gua Du Large, who had been pulled up at Down Royal on his previous start.

The French-bred came from well off the pace with a sustained run to get the better of handicap debutante Glan by a neck.

Denis O'Regan times his run to perfection on Smoking Gun as the pair (left) hit the front in the Porterstown Handicap ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

De Bromhead said: "He was really disappointing in Down Royal – it was really heavy and I think he struggled on the ground. We didn't really know what happened to be honest and he couldn't even finish.

"We put a tongue-tie on him today and that might have made a huge difference, but I'd say ground and it being his first run caught him out the last day."

O'Regan Smoking hot

A fine day for Denis O'Regan culminated in his victory in the Porterstown Handicap Chase on the Gordon Elliott-trained Smoking Gun, whom he brought from off the pace to see off The Dabbler and front-running mare Fairyhill Run.

O'Regan, who had earlier won the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase on Beacon Edge, said: "Days like this don't come around too often so I'll cherish it.

"I'm riding for two top-class trainers today in Noel Meade and Gordon Elliott and it makes a huge difference. I couldn't have asked for better today.

Plenty of lads could have done the light weight on Smoking Gun, but I'm very grateful to Gordon for giving me the opportunity and it's great to be able to deliver."

Results, replays and analysis

Read more from Fairyhouse:

'Danny timed it to perfection' - Statuaire denies My Mate Mozzie in thriller

Beacon Edge powers home late to win thrilling fifth Drinmore for Noel Meade

Honeysuckle claims third Hatton's Grace to extend perfect record

Expert jury: Which horse could give Honeysuckle most to think about in the Champion Hurdle?

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