The smallest field of the evening produced a conclusion that was cheered loudly by the majority of bookmakers at Tipperary yesterday.
Just four went to post for the Gowla Handicap Chase over 2m 1f and the contest unfolded in dramatic fashion after the last when Be Home Early, tailed off four fences from home, finished with a wet sail under David Casey to upset front-running market leader Balla Sola.
A surprised Tony Mullins remarked of his 9 to 2 outsider of the quartet: "That's great for a horse who was off for three years with leg trouble. I thought he was hurt going down the back when he was so far adrift but he raised a gallop when he needed to. If the ground doesn't dry out at the weekend, he'll take his chance at Wexford."
Champion rider Pat Smullen deputised for Colm O'Donoghue aboard Soviet Blues when likely favourite Mist Of Magic was withdrawn (excuse lame) for the opening 12 furlong Gowla Handicap and the partnership duly obliged for Frances Crowley at the expense of a gallant light-weight, Celtic Project.
Favourite backers got it right again in the Gowla Novice Chase when 5 to 4 shot Sunset Lodge recorded a bloodless pillar to post victory under five pound claimer Philip O'Brien.
Intacta Print, having his first run for Waterford trainer Henry de Bromhead, carried the colours of Tramore printer Eamonn Griffin to victory in the Beginners Chase.
