'His breathing was rotten' - Curran buzzing after Domaine De L'Isle bounces back

Sean Curran was breathing almost as easy as Domaine De L'Isle after his stable star returned to form following a wind operation in the 2m4½f handicap chase.

Domaine De L'Isle put former rider Curran on the big-race map last season, winning Saturday showpieces at Chepstow, Newcastle and Ascot, yet he had failed to score in his last six runs, beaten out of sight on each occasion.

The latest of those defeats came at Ascot in January, after which a few choice words from rider David Bass had Curran sending Domaine De L'Isle to renowned breathing specialist Ben Brain.

"David Bass said his wind was rotten," revealed Curran. "Fair play to Ben Brain, who did a great job and my vet Peter Thurlow, who has been a big help as well. It has been an all-round team effort."

Judged on his five-length defeat of Manofthemountain, the eight-year-old is feeling the benefit.

"It's great," added the trainer. "I was just hoping for a competitive run but I knew when they turned in he would pick them up. He wants three miles on good ground, but they went hard and it turned into a staying two-mile-four race.

"I'm pleased that he has run a race and the win is a massive bonus. I'll have to have a look in the programme book now."

Bryony Frost steers Switch Hitter (yellow silks) to victoryCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Consolation joy for Nicholls

Paul Nicholls praised the two consolation races on Kempton's card for horses who were eliminated at Cheltenham, despite the 2m4½f handicap chase resulting in a walkover for the Dan Skelton-trained Marracudja.

Nicholls landed the equivalent race for hurdlers with good-ground specialist Switch Hitter, whose rating failed to secure him a spot in the Coral Cup. He could be heading for Sandown on the last day of the season next.

"The concept of these consolation races is brilliant," said the 11-time champion trainer. "It's a shame the chase hasn't worked out this year with everything that's happened because they're a great idea. It's good money for horses balloted out or not good enough to go to Cheltenham and that's job done for Switch Hitter.

"He could go to Sandown on the last day of the season for a two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle if the ground is quick, then we could look at a novice chase back here at Kempton in May."

Tom Cannon comes out on top on PasvolskyCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Pasvolsky camp ponder Sandown

Chris Gordon is another trainer with an eye on Sandown's season-ending meeting after saddling Pasvolsky to land the 2m novice hurdle on the card, which is a qualifier for a lucrative event on April 24.

"The plan was to finish in the first four really and then go for the big final at Sandown," said Gordon. "We've probably blown our handicap mark for that but it's a winner for the owners and they've got a nice horse to look forward to.

"We might still have a look at that Sandown race because it's a fantastic prize and has been the aim."

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