Catcheragain finally comes good

The father and son team of Tom and David Mullins successfully teamed up at Thurles as Catcheragain made all in the Fogarty Concrete Novice Handicap Hurdle.

The top-weight was strongly pressed by 5/2 favourite Canny Tom at the final flight but dug deep in the closing stages.

The 7/1 chance, who was opening her account at the fifteenth attempt, had two and three quarter lengths to spare at the line. Game Puppeteer was a further three and a half lengths back in third.

A relieved Tom Mullins said, "To say that that was hard-got would be an understatement! I've been trying everything and the handicapper kept putting her up but he was obviously right as she won today.

"The nicer ground definitely helped and she's in at Gowran on Saturday and here again next week so I'll have a look at both and see where we go.

"She's a tough mare and I don't have any soft feelings for her as she's not easy to train and that win was a long time coming.

"At least she's now a winner, by Flemensfirth, and is related to Champion Hurdle winner Make A Stand."

(TW & AM)