Big double for Alderwood

Alderwood: Draws clear of Allure Of Illusion at Fairyhouse

Tony McCoy gave Alderwood a fantastic front-running ride to win the Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Successful in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham, Thomas Mullins' charge responded gamely to the champion jockey and had most of the field in trouble turning for home.

At that stage favourite Steps To Freedom began to flatten out but Allure Of Illusion (7-1) did emerge as a serious rival.

There was little between the pair at the final flight but the 7-2 winner found plenty for pressure and drew clear again to score by three-and-a-quarter lengths.

Jacksonslady (12-1) fared best of the rest in third.

McCoy Thrilled

"Any winner of a County Hurdle has to be respected back in novice company and in fairness to Tom and his team they had him looking particularly well for today," said McCoy.

Mullins added: "They can bounce after Cheltenham but half an hour after his run there it was like he didn't have a race. I was confident enough therefore that he wasn't feeling the effects of it.

"Tony was very worried about the pace early on so he elected to go on. I was delighted to see the rain coming today too.

"That was a similar run to Cheltenham but he was really at his best over there. Punchestown is on the agenda but he gave a good hard blow after that so we'll just have to wait and see. I like the way he pulled away at the end."