Mater Matuta spring-heeled on second chase start

Mater Matuta (15/2), trained near Laytown by Eamonn and Alan Delaney, landed the Tramore Tourism Handicap Steeplechase on just her second start over fences.

A Flat winner in 2019 when in the care of Jim Bolger, the Dawn Approach mare hadn’t managed to add to that success since but jumped well here and went past the front-running favourite Jack Holiday between the final two fences. She stayed on well under Jordan Gainford to beat Inagh’s Gift and She Tops The Lot by five lengths and two and three-quarter lengths.

“She did it very well. I think fences have really brought out a different side to her,” said Gainford.

“She has plenty of pace and they went a good gallop so it was nice.”

Quotes from Gary Carson