From RVL Website:
Trainer Dan O’Sullivan came away from today’s Warrnambool meeting with a jumps win but it may not have been provided by the horse many punters expected.
Much-spruiked jumper Beer Garden could only manage second in his hurdle debut behind Xaar Best in the day’s opening event, the $20,000 Isles General Store Maiden Hurdle (3231m).
Dominant trial wins and an impressive staying record on the flat had many punters cheering for Beer Garden ($2.80) but the son of Aristotle was no match for eight length winner Xaar Best ($3.20).
However O’Sullivan bounced back in the second of the day’s jumps events when exciting jumps proposition Jungle Fighter proved too classy in the $20,000 Bidmade Plastering Open Hurdle (3231m).
Ridden by in-form jockey John Allen, who was fresh from victory aboard Gotta Take Care in yesterday’s Yalumba Classic Hurdle at Oakbank, Jungle Fighter ($3.50) raced midfield on the back of a solid tempo set by short-priced favourite King Triton.
The five-year-old looked to be travelling easily approaching the home turn and joined the leaders over the final jump, outstaying Reckless Rat ($5.50) and King Triton ($1.70) to claim victory by one and three quarter lengths.
The win maintained Jungle Fighter’s unbeaten record over jumps and is likely to put feature races, including the $100,000 Galleywood Hurdle (3200m) during Warrnambool’s May Carnival, on O’Sullivan’s radar
**Yesterday's win brough Jungle Fighter's winning tally to five this preparation**
