Martin finds consolation in Ross River

The Tony Martin team might have been out of luck with the Grand National favourite Dun Doire but they still made the bookies …

The Tony Martin team might have been out of luck with the Grand National favourite Dun Doire but they still made the bookies suffer when Ross River landed a massive gamble in the handicap hurdle.

Davy Russell's mount returned from an honourable if unsuccessful stint over fences to reward those who backed him from 6 to 1 to almost half those odds.

Ross River crept ominously into contention before the turn in and had far too much for the runner-up Supreme Being with King Johns Castle back in third.

"He's been an unlucky horse all year and he deserved that," said Martin, who hasn't ruled out a quick reappearance at next week's Punchestown festival. "Normally he would like a little time but there's not much left and if he pulls out okay we'll look at Punchestown."

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Beef Or Salmon will take his chance in the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown after running a respectable third to Patsy Hall in the three-mile hurdle. "He was caught a little flat footed but I'm very pleased with that," said his trainer Michael Hourigan. "If I'd worked him at home I wouldn't have learned as much."

Paul Nolan learned from the novice chase that his mare Lakil Princess is a superb jumper after putting nine lengths between herself and Some Timbering.

"She is inclined to hit her hurdles but even when she was tired there, she still gave the last two feet which is what you want to see," said the trainer.

Charlie Swan will have a lot to ponder after Oodachee appeared to throw away a winning opportunity when an easy to back favourite for the conditions hurdle.

David Casey threw everything at Oodachee after the last but the favourite looked anything but straight-forward as he went by the post a length behind Justpourit with his ears pricked.

Roger Loughran had to settle for second on Oulart in the National but had better luck on board the 14 to 1 shot Hasanpour in the novice handicap chase.

Tom Ryan took a spectacular fall from Workandturn in this race and was taken to Blanchardstown hospital for X-rays to his right leg and his jaw. The horse was fatally injured.

Racing ended with Arrive Sir Clive announcing himself as a potential major talent by landing the bumper for Philip Fenton in impressive style.