Barry Geraghty arrived in Clonmel yesterday with a live chance in three races, but much to the cost of favourite backers, he left the track empty-handed.
After trailing in towards the rear on warm market leader Kings Ego (burst blood vessel) in the opener, he then had to settle for second place in the INH Novice Hurdle on Lodge Hill, who went off the 7 to 4 favourite. Victory here went to Tom Foley's Greyskies and Shay Barry.
After those two setbacks, Geraghty looked all set to collect in the EBF Beginners Chase with the Willie Mullins-trained River Cora, who was over six lengths clear approaching the final obstacle after his nearest pursuer, Duinin, crashed at the penultimate fence.
Safely negotiating the last, River Cora still looked all over a winner, but his stride began to shorten on the run-in and he was swallowed up close home by 14 to 1 shot Call Me Dara and Kaduko. Over The Furze, sporting the famous Carvill's Hill colours, landed a tidy gamble under Conor O'Dwyer in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.
Supported from 6 to 1 to 9 to 4, the John Berry-trained six-year-old won snugly.
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