Mister Benedictine jumps the last under David Crosse© Photo Healy Racing
Mister Benedictine completed his hat-trick of wins in style as he took the Fay Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle under David Crosse for trainer Brendan Duke.
The experienced 9yo son of Mister Baileys was sent off the 3/1 favourite for the 2m 4f contest after winning at Ballinrobe in May and over the course earlier this month.
He hit the front at the fourth last and stayed on well from there to record an easy four and three parts of a length success over Battling Boru in second at 9/2 for the father and son team of Tony & Danny Mullins.
The well backed Dark Prospect who opened at 12/1 this morning, 8/1 on course and was returned at 9/2, finished a further two and three parts of a length back in third under Paul Carberry for Noel Meade.
Winning trainer Brendan Duke, who is soon to be married, said afterwards: "We have a problem with the wedding now as Hello want the picture rights!
"He is a little superstar and he loves his daddy! We will go West (Galway) with him now and we’ll enjoy it!
"I’m thrilled to bits to win three handicap hurdles on the bounce with him. He is improving. I’m thrilled for my brother (winning owner Joseph Duke) too and for the horse.
"He'll get a break now. He'll get tomorrow off and then we'll get him ready for Galway."
(On course reporting by Gary Carson)
