A review of the racing at Thurles on Kinloch Brae Chase day

A review of the rest of the action from Kinloch Brae Chase day at Thurles, where there was a 66/1 boil-over in the opener.

Adrian Maguire's mare Knockraha Pylon caused a 66/1 upset in the www.thurlesraces.ie Maiden Hurdle.

Baily Cloud was the 11/8 market leader as he aimed to bounce back from unseating David Casey at Fairyhouse last Sunday and he looked set to deliver for favourite backers after hitting the front between the final two flights.

However, Knockraha Pylon came roaring back under Johnny Burke and stuck to her task admirably to take victory by two and three-quarter lengths.

Zafayan beat a weakening Baily Cloud to the runner-up spot.

Maguire said: "As the old saying goes, she didn't know she was 66-1! It wasn't a surprise, far from it. She was awarded second place in her point-to-point at Inch last year but took time to come to herself.

"She's a good honest tough mare who loved the ground but got detached at Tramore the last day. Being a mare, she is clever and fell asleep.

"I revved up the jockey today and it worked out, although the last day was the making of her. I had the same jockey back and he gave her a super ride."

Red-hot favourite Milsean was worn down by lesser-fancied stablemate Measureofmydreams (4-1) in the W.T. O'Grady Memorial European Breeders Fund Novice Hurdle.

The winner of two bumpers before making a winning start over hurdles at Navan in November, Milsean was the 1-4 favourite as the number one hope for champion trainer Willie Mullins.

Bryan Cooper let the market leader stride on at the head of affairs from the outset, with stable companion Measureofmydreams his nearest pursuer under Ruby Walsh.

Milsean began to assert heading down the back straight and looked sure to collect from the home turn, but the picture changed between the final two flights.

Measureofmydreams was beginning to build up a head of steam and as Milsean started to falter when coming under pressure the writing was on the wall, with the apparent second string for Mullins and Gigginstown House Stud getting the job done by two lengths.

Walsh told At The Races: "It's a bit of a surprise. On his homework he wouldn't beat Milsean. I don't know what happened to him. He had me cooked everywhere, but this is a tough old horse and he kept going.

"His bumper form was very good and he's a bit deceptive. I think he'll be better over a fence than he is a hurdle."

Mullins said: "That was a bit of a surprise - Bryan felt he had the race won and kicked on but Ruby's horse just stayed on better and maybe he (Measureofmydreams) is better than we thought.

"I thought he was well beaten coming across the top and he looked flat out. He's an improving sort."

Golden Plan benefited from a confident ride from Shane Butler as he struck gold in the Matty Ryan Memorial Handicap Hurdle.

Mark Fahey's 4-1 shot moved alongside Seamus Mor travelling ominously well once straightened up for home and although there was little to choose between the pair approaching the final flight, Butler was looking round for dangers.

Favourite Horendus Hulabaloo got going late in the day, but Butler always had matters in hand and Golden Plan passed the post a cheeky three-quarters of a length to the good.

Fahey said: "He won his point-to-point, bumper and maiden hurdle all in that heavy ground and is a very genuine horse.

"I've nothing in mind for him next but he would see a fence fairly quick."

Mullins and Walsh hit the target for a second time as exciting mare Vroum Vroum Mag made it three from three over fences in the Leading Light Coolmore National Hunt Sires European Breeders Fund Mares Novice Chase.

The French import was a 1-2 favourite for the Grade Two prize following a couple of facile triumphs at Wexford and Cork and the result was scarcely in doubt.

A slight error at the second-last aside, the six-year-old jumped beautifully and had the measure of Jennies Jewel when she came down at the final fence.

Elsie came through for second, some 26 lengths away.

Walsh said: "I gave her a kick at the fourth- and third-last and I probably shouldn't have because I left myself very long at the second-last, which is downhill, and she just nudged the top, but there was so much horse. The biggest danger was me falling over her tail!"

Winning owner Rich Ricci said: "That was very good. She could be very special. She's got more class that Pomme Tiepy, who won this race for us in 2008, and she jumps like a buck.

"I'm just hopeful now that she stays healthy and we'll try and figure out something for Cheltenham for her I think."

Mullins said: "She gave me a fright at the second-last and jumped the first a bit big, but otherwise was foot-perfect.

"The race was run in a storm and I pitied the jockeys. Rain would have been coming in their faces at the fourth- and third-last fences and it was a good performance to win and every question she has been asked, she has answered.

"She's entered in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham and will be entered in the novice chases, but I'll have a look at the mares' chase programme first and she may stay at home instead and run in a Graded chase at Limerick on St Patrick's Day."

Former leading Grand National fancy Prince De Beauchene (8-11 favourite) completed a hat-trick for the Mullins stable by turning the Arctic Tack Stud Hunters Chase into a procession under the trainer's son, Patrick.

The Thurles Handicap Chase went to Jimmy Mangan's 11-4 shot Kilcrea, ridden by Davy Russell.

Kevin Sexton was handed a four-day suspension for using his whip with excessive frequency aboard the runner-up, Betterthanalright.