Leeds boss Daniel Farke revealed several of his players had been struggling during his side’s 3-1 win against Hull, which lifted them back into the Sky Bet Championship’s automatic promotion places.
Sam Byram’s early header for Leeds was deservedly cancelled out by Hull’s on-loan Liverpool forward Fabio Carvalho and the visitors went on to out-play their hosts for long periods in the first half.
Leeds created the better chances, but failed to hit top form and breathed a sigh of relief when Crysencio Summerville converted a late penalty.
Daniel James scored from fully 40 yards into an empty net with virtually the last kick after Hull goalkeeper Ryan Allsop had gone up for a stoppage-time corner to give the scoreline a lop-sided look.
Farke, without injured trio Willy Gnonto, Illia Gruev and Connor Roberts, said: “It was a complicated game for us due to many reasons. For many of my players it was the third game in six days on international duty.
“Then we had many players on the pitch with problems. Glen Kamara played while ill. He had a cold, but we were thin on central midfield options, so I wanted him to go through this game.
“Cry Summerville had some problems, Joe Rodon couldn’t train because he had a back spasm. He played with pain-killers.
“Sam Byram told me at half-time: ‘Boss I can’t sprint anymore.’ I told him 80 per cent then, you have to keep going.
“So many problems today and the main problem was we played a really good side. A really good possession side. If you analyse their results against the top sides, they never lose.”
Summerville picked himself up to convert from the spot in the 88th minute after Regan Slater’s challenge, but not before a lengthy debate with late Leeds substitute Joel Piroe over who would take the penalty.
“It was difficult,” Farke added. “The problem was I don’t like it for players to take a penalty when they’re just 30 seconds on the pitch. I never believe in bringing players on just for penalties because you need to have at least a few touches.
“There was confusion because Joel was just 30 seconds on the pitch and it was definitely the right decision that Cry took over and rightly took it – and thank God he scored!”
Hull head coach Liam Rosenior was delighted with his players’ display, despite their winless run extending to six matches, and defied Tigers fans to write off their side’s play-off chances.
Rosenior said: “I’m so proud of the lads today. They represented everything I want to see in a football team.
“To come here, go a goal down and play our way back into it in that atmosphere in a game of such importance, to play with such control.
“The dominance, we were the better team first half, probably the better team overall I thought, although statistically they had more shots.
“But in terms of the control, the set-up, the energy, the press, we were outstanding today. We had those moments, it just didn’t happen for us.”
Vontae Davis, the former Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts cornerback, has died suddenly at the age of 35.
His former teams and team-mates came together to play tribute to Davis, a two-time Pro Bowl player in 2014 and 2015, after he was found unresponsive in a Fort Lauderdale residence.
No cause of death has been announced, with the investigating Davie Police Department reportedly suggesting no foul play is suspected.
The Colts, where Davis played between 2012-17, said on X: “We are devastated to hear of Vontae Davis’s passing. He will be deeply missed, and we send our prayers to his family and loved ones.
“He was a standout player in his six seasons with the Horseshoe, but he was an even better team-mate who carried a smile and positive energy every day.”
The Dolphins, who gave him his NFL break after his college football success with Illinois, posted: “We are heartbroken by the sudden passing of former Dolphins CB Vontae Davis and extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Those who shared the field with Davis also took to social media with their own marks of respect, with Kenny Moore II declaring: “It hurts to see the news OG. You a legend VD.”
Reggie Wayne, the retired wide receiver and former colleague at Indianapolis, wrote: “Sad Day. It was a pleasure wearing the horseshoe with you homie. Rest easy Champ.”
Davis, brother of Super Bowl winner Vernon, ended his professional career in 2018 by retiring midway through a game for the Bulls.
Inter Milan moved 14 points clear at the top of Serie A after Federico Dimarco and substitute Alexis Sanchez scored to help Simone Inzaghi’s side to a 2-0 win at home to struggling Empoli.
Dimarco volleyed in from the edge of the box after just five minutes after being set up by Alessandro Bastoni before a late strike from Sanchez, just minutes after coming off the bench, sealed it, tapping in Denzel Dumfries’ low cross to send Empoli into the relegation zone on goals scored.
It means that victory in their next two games will give them a chance to wrap up the title if they win the Milan Derby on April 22.
Bologna struck a significant blow in the race to qualify for the Champions League as they defeated bottom-side Salernitana 3-0, goals from Riccardo Orsolini, Alexis Saelemaekers and Charalampos Lykogiannis ensuring they moved five points clear of Roma, who were held to a goalless draw away at Lecce.
Angelino struck a post from a free-kick for the visitors whilst Patrick Dorgu swept Lecce’s best opportunity wide with the goal gaping in the second half, as Daniele De Rossi’s team stretched their unbeaten league run to seven games.
Sassuolo earned a potentially valuable point in their bid to avoid relegation, Gregoire Defrel scoring in the first half to give them the lead against Udinese before Florian hit back on the stroke of half-time to level, leaving Sassuolo a point adrift of safety.
Cagliari and Verona are both just outside the bottom three after playing out a 1-1 draw, Ibrahim Sulemana giving Cagliari the lead before Federico Bonazzoli equalised to leave both sides with a two-point gap to the drop zone.
In Spain, Atletico Madrid moved back into the top four in La Liga thanks to a goal three minutes from the end by Saul Niguez to defeat Villarreal 2-1.
Axel Witsel had headed Diego Simeone’s team into the lead after only nine minutes but they were pegged back by Alexander Sorloth early in the second half, as the opportunity to capitalise on Athletic Bilbao’s defeat to Real Madrid looked to be under threat.
But Saul settled the game just minutes after coming off the bench, slotting home to put Atletico in pole position to take the final Champions League spot.
Crysencio Summerville and Dan James struck two late goals as Leeds beat Hull 3-1 at Elland Road to climb back into the Sky Bet Championship’s top two.
Summerville picked himself up after being bundled over in the box to convert from the spot in the 88th minute and James fired home from fully 40 yards with visiting goalkeeper Ryan Allsop stranded in the closing moments.
The win extended Leeds’ unbeaten home run to 20 matches this season, left them unbeaten in the league in 2024 and lifted them up to second above Leicester in the table.
Sam Byram had headed Leeds into an early lead before Fabio Carvalho struck a deserved equaliser for Hull, who will feel aggrieved to have left West Yorkshire empty-handed after another impressive away display.
After a minute’s applause before kick-off in tribute to Leeds fans Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight – both killed in Istanbul before a UEFA Cup game against Galatasaray in 2000 – the home side went straight on the offensive.
Archie Gray lashed an angled drive over the crossbar before Byram gave Leeds a ninth-minute lead.
Georginio Rutter’s jinking run from deep scattered Hull’s defence and when Crysencio Summerville’s shot was parried by Hull goalkeeper Ryan Allsop, Byram charged in to head home the rebound.
Hull enjoyed a fair share of possession without troubling home goalkeeper Illan Meslier before Patrick Bamford should have doubled Leeds’ advantage.
Summerville burst into the box and his low cross from the left was inch-perfect, but Bamford scooped the ball over the crossbar from close in.
Leeds were made to pay for that miss in the 34th minute. Hull midfielder Tyler Morton darted on to a loose ball and his cross from the left was buried by Liverpool loanee Carvalho.
Allsop made two point-blank saves to deny Rutter in quick succession just before the break, but Hull had looked the better side for long spells in the first half.
The Tigers threatened twice more early in the second period when Jaden Philogene and Abdulkadir Omur fired shots from the edge of the area inches wide.
The visitors maintained their level, which had seen them win at both Leicester and Southampton this season, as Leeds tried to build some momentum.
Gray went tumbling in the box under Jean Michael Seri’s challenge and home fans were furious as referee Josh Smith was unmoved.
Mateo Joseph, a 72nd-minute replacement for Bamford, struck a post following Junior Firpo’s cut-back and Hull centre-half Alfie Jones’ well-timed tackle denied Dan James a clear run on goal.
With Leeds appearing to be running out of time in their bid to climb back into an automatic promotion slot, Summerville came to their rescue.
The Dutch winger was brought down by Regan Slater and after arguing with Leeds substitute Joel Piroe over who would take the penalty, he made no mistake from the spot.
Hull poured forward in search of an equaliser and when the ball was cleared to James, the Wales winger saw Allsop off his goal-line and rifled a shot into an empty net.
Kieran McKenna hailed his comeback kings as Ipswich dug deep to seal a jaw-dropping 3-2 stoppage-time victory against Southampton to go back top of the Sky Bet Championship.
A pulsating Easter Monday clash at a packed Portman Road went down to the wire after Che Adams and Adam Armstrong had put Saints in the driving seat, having been hit by a Leif Davis’ stunner.
Nathan Broadhead levelled for Ipswich and, after Southampton full-back James Bree was sent off, fellow substitute Jeremy Sarmiento snatched victory in the seventh and final minute of stoppage-time.
That goal sparked bedlam, sending Town back to the Championship summit as McKenna’s men took their points tally from losing positions to a remarkable 31.
“It was right up there,” the Ipswich boss said. “It was another brilliant day, brilliant match to be involved in.
“A really high level, fantastic performance. Both teams did so many good things and a great day to be involved in.
“Of course when you win it with the last-minute winner like that, it’s a moment to really cherish.
“A great moment. I think everyone got a little bit lost in it – subs, staff, everyone.
“My radar still probably thinks ‘there’s 30 seconds to go so you have to get organised again’.
“We’ve had it happen to us, we’ve done it to Rotherham a month ago, so you still have to see the last ball or two out.
“But, yeah, a wonderful moment for everyone involved and one that I’m sure everyone will remember for a long time.”
Put to the former Manchester United coach that Fergie time is fast becoming McKenna time, he said with a laugh: “It’s a good habit. It doesn’t happen by chance.
“I’ve spoken with that before, everyone knows that doesn’t happen by chance and there’s a lot of work goes into it but yeah, it’s a great way to win again.”
While Ipswich celebrate long into the night, Southampton were again left wondering what might have been.
So dominant for so much of the game, their profligacy in front of goal cost them like it has so many times this season on a night that seemingly ended their automatic promotion hopes.
Saints boss Russell Martin said: “We were the best team, we didn’t deserve to lose. We came here, we had 17 shots on goal. Five huge chances, we missed three. They had relatively little until late on.
“We responded amazingly well to a poor goal to concede, so I think if you’re in the game and you’re feeling it, you’re watching it, you know we were the dominant team and we should go on to win the game.
“But we missed two massive chances and then we go down to 10 men and they take there’s.
“Even at 2-2, I thought we were going win the game and then with 10 men, David Brooks goes through in the box and squares, we nearly score.
“I’m so proud of the players, brilliant performance. If we play like that between now and the end of the season, we’ll be right in it still, I think.”
Super sub Jeremy Sarmiento secured Sky Bet Championship comeback kings Ipswich a stunning 3-2 stoppage-time win against profligate Southampton to go back to the top of the table.
A packed Portman Road hosted this eagerly-anticipated Easter Monday encounter between a pair of sides pushing for a place in the Premier League next season.
Che Adams and Adam Armstrong put Southampton on course for a much-needed win after Leif Davis’ stunning opener, but all too familiar wastefulness cost Russell Martin’s men dearly.
Substitute Nathan Broadhead levelled and James Bree’s 85th-minute sending off for dragging back Davis made for a nervy final conclusion.
Ipswich looked set to fall short but Kieran McKenna’s men never give up, epitomised by Sarmiento recovering from a slip to direct the ball home in the seventh and final minute of stoppage time to spark bedlam.
As for Southampton, their continued inability to capitalise when on top means their faint automatic promotion hopes are now all but over.
It was the perfect end to the night for Ipswich and their fans – including onwatching Ed Sheeran – and follows a dream start.
Sam Morsy showed skill and awareness to float a ball out to Davis, with the full-back continuing to laser a stunning shot past Gavin Bazunu at his near post in the 13th minute.
It was a quite wonderful hit met by an immediate Saints riposte.
Quick build-up played ended with Joe Aribo prodding forwards for Adams to sweep home a 14th-minute equaliser from six yards. Ipswich fans and players appealed for offside, unaware that Davis had played on the Saints striker.
Martin’s men took confidence from that equaliser and went ahead midway through the first half.
The visitors moved from back to front, with Stuart Armstrong bursting forward and continuing to play an exceptional ball through for Adam Armstrong to beat Vaclav Hladky with a first-time finish.
Ipswich offered little in terms of response beyond a Conor Chaplin strike into the ground and then lost influential Kieffer Moore to injury.
Ryan Fraser sent a shot across the face of goal and Adam Armstrong curled an effort over as the first half came to an end, with Southampton continuing dangerously after the break.
Hladky did brilliantly to stop Jan Bednarek heading in a free-kick, before the Ipswich goalkeeper saved a low shot from Adam Armstrong.
The Czech shot-stopper also blocked a Fraser effort but the longer Saints failed to extend their lead, the more chance there was for Ipswich to pull level.
Half of Portman Road thought they had in the 66th minute when substitute Ali Al-Hamadi skipped past his man and hit the post from the edge of the box.
Southampton failed to heed that warning and two minutes later were made to pay as Broadhead hit a hopeful low shot from just inside the box on the turn that beat Bazunu down low to his left.
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Play swung from end to end as these promotion contenders sought a winner, with Saints reduced to 10 men in the 85th minute. Bree hauled back Davis just outside the box and referee Michael Salisbury handed out a red card.
The tension inside the ground was palpable as both sides pushed until the end, with a late David Brooks cross stopped and Broadhead attempt saved.
Seven minute of stoppage time were announced and Sarmiento struck at the death, beating Bazunu to spark wild celebrations, having recovered from an initial slip to score.
Manchester United have made an official approach to hire Southampton director of football Jason Wilcox, the PA news agency understands.
Ineos recently took charge of football operations at Old Trafford as part of the deal that saw Sir Jim Ratcliffe become minority owner of the Premier League club.
United are looking for a resolution to hire Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth, who has been placed on garden leave, and negotiations are also under way to bring in Wilcox.
The 53-year-old joined Sky Bet Championship side Southampton as director of football from Manchester City last summer, having worked up to the role of academy director during 11 years at the Premier League club.
Wilcox is now subject of an approach from United, although compensation terms are a sticking point.
The Red Devils have offered compensation commensurate to a year’s salary, but Southampton want a bigger package.
United want Wilcox in place for the summer and are hoping for an amicable outcome.
A report emerged during Southampton’s match against Ipswich on Monday evening that he has resigned, which would mean serving a 12-month notice period before he could take up a new role.
Wilcox is understood to have a good relationship with incoming United chief executive Omar Berrada from their time together at City.
After a five-timer at Fairyhouse on Sunday, it was a slightly quieter afternoon for the all-conquering Willie Mullins on the final day of the track’s Easter meeting.
While hopes were high for his runners in the feature BoyleSports Irish Grand National, the Closutton representatives were out of luck, with 20-1 chance Minella Cocooner faring best in third under Danny Mullins.
That said, it was still a hat-trick of winners for the champion trainer, after Implicit got him off the mark in the opener before he finished with a double in the two races that brought the curtain down on the card.
It was Minella Cocooner’s rider who got Macdermott (5-1) home in front in the first of those, the Envirogreen Building Services Handicap Chase over three miles and half a furlong.
Mullins said: “He’s been running over trips that were too short, but we couldn’t find races for him.
“Today was the first time he got his ground and trip. He’s a horse that I’d be really looking forward to going over extended trips in the future, in some of the those bigger handicaps.
“He could be an Irish National horse or one for Aintree, any of those extended races.
“I think he’s only coming to himself. He’s a very gross horse and it’s taken me a long time to get him fit.”
Jody Townend – who rode a Grade Two winner over hurdles for the stable on Sunday – then took the Leinster Reinforcements & Brazil Piling (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race with Redemption Day (2-1 joint-favourite).
Mullins said: “He’s had his problems but he’s coming right now, even on ground he didn’t like there.
“Jody got him lovely and settled and was able to use his bit of class.
“I think now we’ll head to Punchestown for the Champion Bumper.
“He has a little bit of class and hopefully he’ll go novice hurdling after that.”
In sixth place for Mullins in the National was We’llhavewan, who in turn was one place in front of his stablemate and 4-1 favourite Nick Rockett.
Mullins said: “I was really pleased with Minella Cocooner, he ran a cracker.
“Nick Rockett ran well as well, but just had too much weight.
“We’llhavewan just didn’t get home today but we do know he stays that trip.”
Tom Clover is looking forward to seeing how Al Barez progresses after landing the victory he had been threatening in the Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Handicap at Kempton.
The five-year-old has been knocking on the door in two starts since returning on the all-weather earlier this year and was sent off the 5-2 favourite in the hands of Jack Mitchell over six furlongs at the Sunbury track.
Positioned towards the rear, he made good headway as David Evans’ Radio Goo Goo began to tire on the front-end and stuck his head down gamely in the closing stages to seal a neck verdict over Holy Fire.
“Jack did well to get a nice pitch from a wide draw and he’s been threatening to win, he’s been perhaps a touch unlucky on his last few starts,” said Clover.
“He’s a lovely little horse with a nice pedigree and he deserves to get his head in front. He only won by a neck but he knuckled down well which was lovely to see and I hope for the owners he can be a really fun horse for the season. Hopefully he can go and progress.”
It has been an interrupted couple of years for Al Barez who racked up three victories in succession in 2022 but failed to build on that during a 2023 campaign compromising of just the two appearances.
Having rediscovered his best form in the early stages of 2024, Newmarket-based Clover is now eager to see how far the son of Dark Angel can climb during the turf season as he tries to make up for lost time.
“As a result of being off he’s got pretty low mileage and is pretty unexposed so I’m hoping he can find his way,” continued Clover.
“He likes a strong pace and something to aim at and hopefully we can look forward to the turf season and have a smooth run really.”
Eve Johnson Houghton’s Pont Neuf (11-4) may have unseated his rider in the parade ring and subsequently walked to post, but he had no problems making his way home fastest of all when claiming the opening Virgin Bet/EBF Restricted Novice Stakes, while Richard Hughes’ rich vein of form continued when Palace Green (7-4 favourite) made all in the Virgin Bet Fives/EBF Novice Stakes to register an impressive five-length success.
Liseo (11-4) shaded a close finish to the Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap for Simon and Ed Crisford, with Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole’s Farasi Lane (12-1) surviving a stewards’ inquiry to win the Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Handicap.
There was a shock in the concluding Virgin Bet Handicap with Keiran Burke’s Whitcombe Rockstar landing the spoils at odds of 25-1.
Swansea manager Luke Williams lamented his side’s failure to turn pressure into goals after they were beaten 1-0 by QPR.
A 71st-minute volley from a corner by defender Steve Cook gave the Hoops a priceless victory in their fight against relegation from the Championship.
Rangers are now six points clear of the relegation zone, a point behind the Swans, yet neither club can count themselves safe from the drop just yet.
And Williams’ frustration was evident on an afternoon when his side dictated much of the game at the Swansea.com Stadium.
He said: “We should have got something, but football keeps you honest.
“If you don’t take your chances and you switch off from a set-piece you are always vulnerable.
“We became a cliche today. We started slowly and then became more dominant.
“But domination counts for little if you don’t convert your chances.
“We have a lot of openings that don’t amount to anything.
“We’re happy, we’re enthusiastic and moving in the right direction.
“But we have to be more clinical and better at finishing.”
Williams suggested his side’s shortcomings were mental rather than physical, even though they started the game sluggishly.
Williams added: “If we start slowly it’s not a physical thing, it’s a mental thing.
“We have to start games ferociously and bloody the other fighter’s nose at the earliest opportunity.”
Swansea’s woes were compounded by the loss of influential midfielder Joe Allen in the 34th minute with a toe injury.
“We need a bit more time for that to settle down and then we can try to gauge how long it will be,” said Williams.
“He bent the toe back too far. We don’t think it’s a break, from a brief conversation with him he is not showing the symptoms of that.”
QPR boss Marti Cifuentes told his players to stay humble and refused to entertain talk of safety.
Cifuentes said: “All I know is we need more points when I look at the table.
“We are in a good moment, but at this stage of the season we need to be humble.
“Until it’s 100 per cent certain we will not stop.
“I am proud and happy about the work the guys put in.
“Swansea have quality players and are difficult to play against.
“But our goal came at a great time.
“We started the game well, got into some good situations and created some good chances in the first 10 minutes.
“Then we started to sit deeper and deeper and we had to make some adjustments at half-time.
“After we went ahead it was about understanding what we needed to do to win.
“We did a very good job defending the lead.”
Intense Raffles continued his Fairyhouse love affair to hold off the fast-finishing Any Second Now in a thrilling renewal of the BoyleSports Irish Grand National.
Twelve years on from winning the race with Lion Na Bearnai, Thomas Gibney struck gold again courtesy of the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned French import, who has excelled at Fairyhouse in two starts since his transfer from the continent.
Those victories came in the hands of the currently-injured Daryl Jacob, and Jacob’s misfortune was J J Slevin’s gain as he stepped in to also register his second victory in the Easter Monday showpiece aboard the gutsy grey, who showed his star quality with a brilliant round of jumping.
Always travelling powerfully in the hands of Slevin as he tracked the pace set by Frontal Assault, not even a mistake at four out could halt Intense Raffles’ momentum as the six-year-old eased effortlessly to the head of proceedings.
Keen to hold on as long as possible, Slevin waited until after two out to edge the 13-2 scorer’s nose in front and after jumping the last with a narrow advantage he plugged on gamely to the line as Ted Walsh’s veteran and Willie Mullins’ Minella Cocooner were bearing down with every stride.
Brewin’upastorm rolled back the years to give trainer Olly Murphy a Grade Two strike to remember in the Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
Now an 11-year-old, Brewin’upastorm has mixed it with some of the best during his lengthy career with the trainer, triumphing in bumper, hurdles and chase company.
Grade One-placed as a novice hurdler at Aintree back in 2019, he subsequently embarked on a spell over fences that yielded two wins but saw him unseat his rider in the 2020 Arkle and trail home last in the Tingle Creek the following season.
Murphy has kept him to hurdles subsequently, twice winning the National Spirit at Fontwell, and this was a first trip to Ireland.
Partnered by Jack Kennedy, Brewin’upastorm was one of just four runners and with Maxxum crashing out and Thedevilscoachman failing to sparkle, it was a duel with Willie Mullins’ 5-6 favourite Zarak The Brave from the penultimate flight.
Brewin’upastorm jumped the last in front but Zarak The Brave was rallying on the run to the line, with Murphy’s raider digging deep to edge a three-quarter-length success.
Murphy was assistant to Gordon Elliott before striking out on his own in Britain and he was thrilled to secure a winner in Ireland.
He said: “I enjoyed that! He’s a very good horse on his day and he’s only good once a year, if that makes sense.
“He really turned up today and I thought he just outstayed Willie’s horse from the back of the last.
“Ireland has been a brilliant place for me, I spent five fantastic years here. I learned an awful lot off Gordon (Elliott) and watched Jack grow up to be the man he is today, I watched him ride his first winner.
“Coming over and taking on the best of the Irish, the way National Hunt racing is at the moment on both side of the Irish Sea, it was something I always wanted to do – train a winner over here.
“I really enjoyed that, Ireland has been a very good place for me and to come back and have a big winner here is magic.
“I probably came over due to the lack of opportunities on our side of the sea. It’s hard to win anywhere, it’s hard to win in England let alone here.
“I enjoyed that as much as any winner I’ve trained.”
Bottler’secret graduated to Grade Two company in style with victory in the O’Driscoll’s Irish Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle.
The four-year-old was a dual winner on the Flat for Ciaran Murphy before changing hands and moving to Gavin Cromwell, for whom he made an impressive hurdles bow at Naas in February.
Bottler’secret strolled to an 11-length success in a Grade Three contest on that occasion – a result which saw him sent off the 4-1 second-favourite for this two-mile event.
British raider Givemefive raced prominently but began to feel the pressure turning for home, with Bottler’secret travelling sweetly for Keith Donoghue having also been to the fore.
He was well in control jumping the penultimate flight and stretched clear after the last, coming home three and three-quarter lengths clear of market leader Miss Manzor.
Cromwell said: “He’s a lovely straightforward horse. He races lazily which you’d love in a horse coming off the Flat. He jumped really well there today.
“The cheekpieces just helped him travel a little bit better. He was behind the bridle a lot the last day. He went to the line really well and hopefully there is more to come.
“I wouldn’t say he has to have it this soft, I’d say on the Flat is was important because he probably just lacked a gear.”
The Punchestown Festival later is now likely to be on the agenda.
Cromwell added: “Yeah, I’d say definitely. Sure why wouldn’t you at this stage. The timing is nice as well with the early Easter.”
Implicit (9-2) could head to the Punchestown Festival after a narrow victory in a dramatic Farmhouse Foods Novice Handicap Hurdle.
Boher Road was clear in front coming to the third-last flight, but he ducked out at the obstacle, smashing through the wing and the inside rail.
That left Implicit and Ossie’s Lodge to battle it out to the line, with the Paul Townend-ridden winner prevailing by just a nose.
David Casey, assistant to winning trainer Willie Mullins, said: “The pilot was very good again, as he usually is. It looked like they went very hard, Paul dropped her in got her relaxed and came with one run.
“Obviously he just got there and I thought it was a brilliant ride. I don’t know what way it would have gone if the horse didn’t run out, but she’s improving.
“I’d imagine she’ll go to Punchestown and you’ll probably see her through the summer as well, she should go on better ground.”
Whatcouldhavebeen (14-1) gave Boher Road’s trainer Jarlath Fahey some compensation as she proved too strong for her rivals in the Fairyhouse Steel Handicap Hurdle.
She finished second as a 66-1 shot in the Grade One Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle at this fixture last year but had struggled to make her mark in six subsequent runs both over hurdles and on the Flat.
However, she roared back to form with a nine-and-a-half-length victory in the hands of Aidan Kelly.
Fahey said: “It’s great as we haven’t had a great run over the winter, a lot of our horses were under a cloud and just weren’t performing.
“We thought she worked nicely the other morning, herself and Boher Road together. He was giving us a nice run until he decided to exit! That gave us a little bit of confidence that she was back somewhere near her best again.
“She was second in a Grade One at this meeting last year. Since she got her summer break she hasn’t been firing and she’s just coming back to herself now.
“We’ll probably stick to handicap company for Punchestown. It’s great to get her back in front again and back running the way she can run.
“She is game and genuine and stayed at it well. It was a brilliant ride by Aidan, very similar to what he did in the Grade One last year. We didn’t have Ashroe Diamond catching us down the straight today.”
Dubai Honour booked a return to Hong Kong in pleasing William Haggas with a successful reappearance in the Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Magnolia Stakes at Kempton.
Last seen running at Ascot on British Champions Day, the globetrotting six-year-old has remained at Somerville Lodge this winter rather than venturing to Australia and was by far the best horse in the race on both career achievements and official ratings ahead of his return in the 10-furlong Listed event.
The 4-6 favourite duly obliged in good style, defying early-season freshness under Ryan Moore to hand his trainer a fourth success in race, scoring by an impressive three lengths.
He will now return to overseas action with Dubai Honour set to be tasked with going two places better than his 2023 QEII Cup third at Sha Tin later this month.
Haggas said: “I was very pleased with him and he looked a bit fresh having not run for a bit. But I thought he was always looking comfortable in a race that had the potential to be messy – and probably was – despite the nice gallop.
“I haven’t spoken to Ryan yet, but I’m not sure he was where he wanted to be early on. Still, the horse picked up well and he did it nicely, as he should do at the weights. But I was very happy with him and it was exactly what I hoped for.
“He’s going to Hong Kong all being well – he’s been invited and we’ve accepted. Providing he’s fit and well he will go over there on April 28 for the QEII Cup, the mile-and-a-quarter race he was third in last year.
“He’s won over £3million in prize-money now and he’s a thoroughly nice horse who has been great fun, we think the world of him. He’s a kind horse, too.”
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