Mossbank's standing still on the rise

Fairyhouse report: Mossbank enhanced his growing reputation with an impressive victory in the St Margarets Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse. Michael Hourigan's five-year-old was a ready winner on his hurdling bow at Limerick in October and consolidated upon that run with another notable success this time.

Conor O'Dwyer had his partner nicely settled in mid-division in the early stages of the two-mile-two-furlong event as Monoceros and La Marianne took them along at generous pace.

A few gentle reminders from O'Dwyer eased the 8 to 13 favourite into contention and he took the advantage from Monoceros with a clean jump at the last.

Although Philip Rothwell's five-year-old offered stout resistance on the run-in, Mossbank always looked like getting the better of the battle and swept past the line with a length to spare over Monoceros.

Hourigan expressed his delight at Mossbank's display on heavy ground which was not ideal. "He jumps really well and has loads of gears," explained the Co Limerick handler. "He's a really nice horse and is likely to run over two and a half miles next. You won't see the best of him until he is over three miles though. As he's an easy-flowing horse he's much better on better ground."

O'Dwyer added. "He's a lovely horse and has plenty of size about him. He's got a great attitude towards the game. It's hard to tell after one ride with him on that ground, but he'll be more suited by nicer ground. He's definitely going the right way."

Ladbrokes responded by cutting the son of Kadeed from 14 to 1 to 12 to 1 favourite for the Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Cashmans also offer 12 to 1 about the Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding winning the two-mile-five-furlong feature.

Shane Kelly and Franny Norton remained in hospital yesterday, 24 hours after they were injured in a seven-horse pile-up at Wolverhampton. A spokeswoman for New Cross Hospital said: "They are still here but we are unable to comment (on their condition) at this moment in time."