Belated first win for veteran Druim Samhraidh

Lightly-raced eleven-year-old Druim Samhraidh (7/1) gained a belated first win today, landing Clonmel's Botanica International Opportunity Handicap Chase for his latest trainer Cormac Farrell.

Initially first-past-the-post in a Ballinrobe bumper in August 2019 before being disqualified as a banned substance was detected, Druim Samhraidh was having just his 13th lifetime start today and his third start for Farrell who is his seventh registered trainer.

Racing keenly behind the leaders under jockey Richie Condon, the veteran led at the fourth-last and while untidy jumping the last, rallied on the run-in to hold Lake Chad by a half-length.

Jockey Condon reported “he hasn't been straightforward and has been around the block for a number of years, although it is only his second run over fences.

“Cormac told me to ride him with plenty of confidence and that he would stay the 2m3f distance. We were on the right place along the rail and he had said to kick on coming down the hill and that's what he did. He got in tight to the last but he got there.

“Cormac and the lads work hard so it is great for them and he is owned by a good bunch of owners as well, with Nathan Matthews and the lads. They'll get a good kick out of this.”