Lieber Nicc gets it right 12-months on

Fifth in this very contest 12-months ago, Lieber Nicc (or Dear Nicc when translated from German) justified plenty of market confidence in the Ampion Testing Handicap Hurdle.

Back over flights for the first time since December, the Henry de Bromhead-trained bay was available at 6/1 in early shows for this extended two-mile heat, eventually going off the 7/2 favourite in the colours of the Niccolai Schuster Horse Racing Club.

In a share of the lead early on, the market leader was headed before the third, but remained close-up under Darragh O'Keeffe and gained an outright advantage on the long run to two out.

Pushed along after that flight, the 119-rated bay soon forged clear and a flawless jump at the last seal the deal, as he eased to a seven-and-a-half length win.

The Eoin McCarthy-trained Wholelotofbusiness (11/1) filled the runner-up spot under Simon Torrens, while Spy (12/1) was half-a-length away in third.

"It was really good and I'm delighted for all the team," de Bromhead, who registered a double yesterday, enthused.

"It is for a great reason, for Niccolai Schuster who sadly lost his life in an accident. All his friends and family came together and it is brilliant. These are the days that really count.

"He had a couple of okay runs on the Flat, but we thought we were getting him back sort of to himself there recently.

"He seemed to be buzzing today, Chloe who looks after him was delighted with him. All good.

"A lot of them (the owners) are based in Dublin, so I would imagine we will look at Leopardstown at Christmas."