Whatuthink produced a tremendously game performance under Tom Doyle to inflict a shock defeat on Voler La Vedette in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan.

Colm Murphy's top-class mare was a 1-7 favourite to claim this Grade Two prize for the second successive year and was ridden with extreme confidence by Andrew Lynch, settled right out the back of the field.

She made good headway on the turn for home to take much closer order and was within a couple of lengths of the front-running Whatuthink (25-1) jumping the second from home, but could not get any closer to Oliver McKiernan's charge and went down by four and a quarter lengths.

The winning trainer said: "He has always had ability. We decided to go back over hurdles with him. It was a great performance, but maybe fitness over the others was the key. He was tipping away all summer while the others were just starting out.

"He loves that ground and he kept going. He will go to Leopardstown now at Christmas and he might run before then. The plan was to make plenty of use of him and if they were good enough to go by him, so be it."

Paul Carberry rode a patient race on Noel Meade's 5-4 favourite Dylan Ross in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase, picking off the opposition to lead on the run-in and beat Lake Windermere by a length and three-quarters.

The trainer said: "I asked Paul what the plan was and he said 'I'll be late!'. The last day was bit of a disappointment, but he was probably beaten by a very good horse (Jenari).

"He jumped well. He's very athletic. He's a real rubber ball and he was given the perfect ride. We'll stay at two miles. Paul thinks he wants better ground.

"He'll be entered for St Stephen's Day at Leopardstown. He mixed it with real good horses last year, so there's no reason why he shouldn't again if he jumps well."

Ted Walsh's Champagne James (15-8) made an impressive debut in the concluding bumper under a cool ride from Robbie McNamara.

13 May 2013

Fabre confirms Ocovango for Epsom
Aspect on route to big things
Room at the top for Cityscape
Freedom steps into chasing ranks
Lucky thirteen in line for Lockinge
Galway beckons for Swinton hero
Sajjhaa set for late return
Cadeaux thriving in Singapore
Pink primed for Duke Of York
Liber takes aim at Musidora
Battle won for O'Brien
Pretending the real deal
Duntle back to winning ways
Classic glory for Flotilla
Style wins the day in Paris
Highclere double-handed for Dante
Cornerstone plans up in the air
Beckett planning Gesture workout

12 May 2013

No hurry for Jammy plans
Guest in hunt for more Ascot glory
Vow set for Goodwood return
Gold-en boy Anodin in Classic hunt
Buick aiming for French strike
Angel flies home to land Chartwell
Barizan bounces back in style
Queally lights up Ascot meeting
Ektihaam storms to Buckhounds win
Nevis takes depleted Trial contest
Hard-fought battle won at Haydock
Secret impresses in Oaks Trial
Ascot drama for Fanning

11 May 2013

Felix foot-perfect on fencing debut
Cavalryman leads Cup charge
Ramsa ready to stand Trial
Duntle out to dazzle in Amethyst
Swift return doesn't bother Moran
Garman gives Bolger hope
Henderson: Ground vital for Voice
McMahon sweet on Tart Ascot claims
Murphy to move to France
Athos flies to Ormonde glory
Dee day for impressive Magician
Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
Secret's out for Lingfield glory
Lambe expects good run from Hall
Marengo ready to do battle
Greatwood on trial at Lingfield
Barizan sneaks into Swinton
Jamesie gunning for Vic-tory

10 May 2013

Telescope focus is on Dante
Blinkers considered for Guarantee#
Bonfire camp bemoan Huxley flop
Moohaajim has six appeal
Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests