Henry Higgins scoops Coral.ie Hurdle for JP McManus

Henry Higgins, one of eight runners for JP McManus, scooped the pool in the highly-competitive Coral.ie Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The six-year-old, trained by Charles O’Brien, challenged Kalkir at the final flight after Bentelimar had led into the straight.

Henry Higgins (16-1) was produced to jump in the lead at the final flight and strode away on the run-in to score by two and a quarter lengths from Kalkir (12-1).

Desoto County (11-2) stayed on well from the rear to claim third place, another two lengths away, with the McManus-owned Tigris River (25-1) fourth.

Power said: “He travelled super the whole way.

“We didn’t go a mad gallop but he’s got loads of gears. He’s got loads of pace — he barely gets two miles.”

O’Brien would dearly love to have a crack at the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival as it is named in memory of his late father, Vincent O’Brien.

Go-to conditional Jack Kennedy got the better of Ruby Walsh as he drove Golan Lodge (5-1) to a hard-fought victory in the ‘Bet & Watch’ Irish Racing Live At Coral.ie Handicap Hurdle.

Kennedy, who claims 5lb, gave Paul Nolan’s charge a patient ride on the outside before making his challenge in the straight.

Golan Lodge tackled Walsh’s mount, Childrens List, who had taken over from the pacesetting Indian Rupee and Kylecrue at the final flight.

Asserting in the final 100 yards, Golan Lodge prevailed by half a length, the front pair pulling eight lengths clear of Not For Burning in third.

“It was a lovely ride form Jack. He was a little bit wide but he said there was no real cover as they were spread across the track trying to stay off the rail,” said Nolan.

“He was a little keen on his first couple of runs and over three miles you love them to switch off.”

Earlier Our Duke earned quotes of 20-1 about winning the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival after he made a most impressive hurdling debut in the Coral.ie “Best Price Guaranteed On Irish Racing” Maiden Hurdle.

Jessica Harrington's six-year-old (2-1) showed a really likeable attitude under Robbie Power to fend off odds-on favourite Pylonthepressure by three lengths.

Harrington said: “His jumping was a bit slow but he’s a big horse and, at the end of the day, he’s going to be a chaser.

“The other horse (Pylonthepressure) was slicker over his hurdles but once he got on to the flat and Robbie got him stoked up he put his head down and galloped.”

Davy Russell delivered Pride Of The Braid with a late lunge to snatch victory in the 'Download The Coral App' Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Billy’s Hope had a handy advantage over the final flight, but Russell kept going on Pride Of The Braid (9-2) and John Kiely’s mare got up in the last stride to land the spoils by a nose.

Barnahash Rose was three-quarters of a length away third.

“She’s always promised a lot and I couldn’t understand her run when she disappointed in Navan,” said Kiely.