There was a surprise result to the Festina Lente maiden hunter chase at Thurles on Thursday as Along Long Story came out on top at a price of 28/1.
Largely unconsidered having been beaten in two adjacent maidens at Boulta and Tallow, Johnny Hurley always positioned the six-year-old to the fore in the three-mile contest as he track the early pacesetter Roundstone and Laura Costello.
Sean Aherne’s Morozov gelding had briefly made his way to the front with four to jump however an error at the next obstacle saw the odds-on favourite Good By Sam disputing the lead with the recent Dromahane and Ballyvodock winner O Mio Babbino.
Along Long Story came back to the fore after the home bend and he soon had the measure of the Willie Mullins-trained favourite as he pulled clear on the run-in to defeat the staying-on Michael’s Pick by three and a half lengths.
The favourite Good Bye Sam disappointed and could only finish third with O Mio Babbino taking fourth despite a couple of jumping errors.
"He had plenty of nice work done at home and ran in a couple of point to points but is ground-dependent. He got his ground today, skipped away and jumped a miller,” the winning trainer said.
"I ran him in this because he is handicapped over hurdles but weren't any suitable races coming up. I thought this fitted in grand.
"I don't know what the plan is but I could mix it away between chases and hurdles with him. Once the ground is reasonable, we'll keep going."
