'I was confident we were going to grind it out' - Sean Flanagan praises Diol Ker

Sunday: Naas

To the delight of his boss Noel Meade, Sean Flanagan came out the right side of not one but two narrow results, including the Leinster National on Diol Ker.

Flanagan, who had already galvanised Highland Charge to win the Grade 3 Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle, had a willing partner in Diol Ker in the feature, as Meade’s chaser clung on doggedly from Ronald Pump in the Bar One-sponsored event.

Diol Ker had advertised his claims for a major pot when fourth in the Thyestes last month and, on his favoured heavy ground, rewarded the punters who made him 7-2 joint-favourite for the €100,000 showpiece.

Flanagan said: “He’s a fine big horse but he takes a lot of riding. I was excited by the thought of him going chasing but it’s taken him a long time to get the hang of things. He’s a dour stayer and the slower the ground is, the better for him.

“I knew we’d gone a good gallop. He jumped well and he came home well. I thought I was going to struggle to hold off Ronald Pump coming down to the last, but when we jumped it I knew we were going forward, so I was confident we were going to grind it out.”

Murphy's Charm

Colm Murphy has a live chance of adding to his brilliant record at the Cheltenham Festival when Impervious tackles the Mares’ Novices' Hurdle, and the man who sent out Brave Inca and Big Zeb to memorable triumphs at that meeting warmed up for his trip across the water by sending out Macs Charm to win a nice pot.

Macs Charm, who has been thoroughly progressive this season, bagged his third win on the trot under Brian Hayes in the 2m3f handicap hurdle.

Murphy said: “He’s strengthened up a lot this year. He’s just a different horse. We may look at some nice handicaps for him now. There are plenty of races coming up at the festivals.

"He’ll stay further on nicer ground. The better the ground, the further he’ll go. He’s tough and he stays.”

McCrory first

Delvino made good on her initial promise by running out a gritty winner of the Grade 3 Directors Plate Novice Chase, providing her trainer Mark McCrory with his first victory under rules.

McCrory trains for the Conway family, whose pink and white silks have been carried by many classy performers, including Harcon, Jim, Notre Pere and Telenor.

Results, replays and analysis

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