Racing: Macs Joy boosted his Smurfit Champion Hurdle claims with a smooth victory in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park.
The 2-5 shot, trained by Jessica Harrington, led at the third-last flight and in the absence of Hardy Eustance was not troubled to win by four and a half lengths to complete a hat-trick on the day for his jockey Barry Geraghty.
Early leader Asian Maze stayed on in eyecatching fashion to claim second place after dropping back when headed, with Ground ball in third and Essex last of the four runners.
Harrington said: “We are going to Cheltenham now with all guns blazing. The ground was pretty sticky and he will appreciate better ground.
“He jumped and travelled well - Barry said he even tried to run off with him going to the start. Hopefully we will end up firing at the right end of the season this year.”
Geraghty had earlier struck on Brutto Facie (13-8) for Mrs Harrington in the Walsh’s Toyota Beginners’ Chase and on Forget The Past (9-4) for Michael O’Brien in the Red Mills Chase.