Fogarty wins in favourite boyhood colours

Mrs Violet O'Leary saw Tennis Cap take his third race at her local track in Cork when prevailing in the 8/1 Willie Mullins To Train A Cheltenham Winner At Coral.ie Hurdle.

It was appropriate that Willie Mullins would train the winner of a race bearing this title, and the story of the two and a half miler is easily told.

When Mikey Fogarty got the better leap out of the victorious front-runner at the third last, the contest was soon decided in his favour, as his former stable companion Val De Ferbet couldn't bridge the gap.

In fairness to the latter, representing Andrew McNamara now, he rallied for Robbie Power, but he was still a length and three parts down at the line.

They left Massini's Trap and Prussian Eagle eighty five lengths and forty lengths back in the other two positions.

"His jumping was good and he actually nearly jumps too well. He was just getting lonely in front but had the advantage of a couple of runs," commented Fogarty.

"I grew up watching Florida Pearl - he was my favourite horse, and fair play to the O'Learys and Willie (Mullins) for giving me the spin today."

(TW & EM)