Return to hurdles beckons for November Handicap hero Swamp Fox

Swamp Fox's courage and consistency were well known before Sunday's Naas November Handicap and the versatile five-year-old showed off his characteristics when battling to a short-head win in the feature event on the final day of the turf Flat season.

Ridden by Gary Carroll, who has built up a successful association with trainer Joe Murphy, Swamp Fox dug deep to record his third Flat win to go with four victories over hurdles.

And Murphy confirmed that the winner will revert to hurdles in either the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown on November 19 or the Fighting Fifth Hurdle six days later.

"He's done us proud once again and is a very nice horse to have. Gary said he was beginning to stop when he hit the front but he stuck to the job. He's very tough and so consistent. Hopefully, there will be more to come," Murphy said.

More to come from Tocco

Off the track since trouncing her rivals by six lengths in a maiden at Navan in April, Tocco D'Amore took the final race of the season, the Listed Finale Stakes over 1m4f, scoring by three lengths under Pat Smullen.

Dermot Weld, who trains the daughter of Raven's Pass for Moyglare Stud, rates Tocco D'Amore highly and expects her to do well at Pattern level next season.

He said: "Unfortunately this filly met with a setback not long after her Navan win and had to have the whole summer off. We had to be patient with her and it was a tough assignment for her today after such a long time off.

"Her career is only starting and I think she will make a lovely filly for Group races next year."

Irish Lincolnshire aim

The Irish Lincolnshire is likely to be the first port of call next season for Inscribe, who took the 1m2f handicap for new champion Colin Keane and Ger Lyons.

Scoring for the second time, Inscribe had a neck to spare over Lucky Mistake and Lyons said: "He's a horse we like. After his win at Gowran Park last month we decided to keep him for this meeting in case Colin might need him.

"As things turned out that wasn't the case as he had the championship wrapped up. We'll probably drop this fellow to a mile for starters next year and the Lincolnshire would look a good place to start."

Harrington's compensation

"A bit better than yesterday" was Jessica Harrington's immediate reaction after her one-two in the mile juvenile maiden 24 hours after Our Duke had flopped on his seasonal reappearance in the Grade 1 JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal.

Still Standing scored by two and three-quarter lengths for Colm O'Donoghue, beating stablemate House Call. "We hoped he might do that following his good run at Leopardstown last weekend. He handled the ground although he'd prefer it better. We think he'lll stay middle distances, "Harrington said.

Beggy on target

Padraig Beggy ended his Derby-winning season by taking the 7f nursery on the Joseph O'Brien-trained Band Of Outlaws, while following the win of Vinnie's Wish in the 6f juvenile maiden, trainer John McConnell said: "We finally got the trip right for him. His two previous runs were over seven furlongs and a mile."

Thought for the day
Colin Keane's travelling fan club brought atmosphere and entertainment to the final day of the Irish Flat season as they celebrated the 23-year-old's first championship. Keane rode a winner on the first day of the season, also at Naas, and a double yesterday saw him finish off with 100 winners for the campaign