Gamble landed as Epsilon makes all

Epsilon Indi landed a gamble in the Follow Limerick Racecourse On Twitter Handicap Hurdle, making all under Bryan Cooper for Robbie McNamara.

Having shown little on his first seven starts, the son of Ask was fifth of seventeenth on his most recent outing at Clonmel.

Available at 25/1 in early shows, the five-year-old gelding opened on-course at just 10s before going off a 5/1 chance.

Quickly in front, the bay victor made all and extended his advantage from before the second last, keeping on well from there to score easily by eight and a half lengths. Torquay finished second at 5/1, while Ard Na Carraig (7/1) was another four lengths back in third.

Kilbeggan winner Katoptris was sent off the 4/1 favourite, and she was fourth.

McNamara, who also owns the winner, said afterwards: "He had a good run first time out in a bumper at Galway last year but disappointed us after a little but was flipping his palate.

"We didn't get a wind operation done but he got a handicap mark and I actually rang the handicapper and said he was a bit lenient on him!

"He ran in soft ground which he wasn't suited by and there was no messing around with him, but it was just to give him confidence because after flipping your palate you're going to be a little afraid of it.

"Bryan (Cooper) rode him at home for a few days after Clonmel and got on and understood him and it showed there.

"Hopefully he'll go up enough now to get into Galway; he is entered at Killarney on Thursday and probably will run. If he wins both days he might get into Galway.

"He's a nice horse who will be a lovely chaser in a year's time."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Youngnedofthehill trained by Shane Nolan, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

A.E. Lynch, rider of Katoptris trained by Gavin Cromwell, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his saddle slipped.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes