Gwan Tadgh easily justifies favouritism under McDonagh

Gwan Tadgh who was sent off a warm favourite for the second division of the John Purfield Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Bellewstown readily justified that strong support under in-form Mark McDonagh.

The Edward O'Grady trained six-year-old had won impressively on his penultimate start at Downpatrick earlier this month before finishing second to a well handicapped gamble at that same track on Monday.

Prominent from the outset under McDonagh this evening, the gelding headed Happaugue after the third last before surviving a slight mistake two out to go on and win eased down.

Edward O'Grady said: "It would appear that way, yes (good ground is key to him).

"When he ran last Monday (in Downpatrick), he's now out of this grade, he's out of the 95s so I was lucky to get him in today.

"We are very pleased with him, he's had three quick runs and I'm not sure where he will go next."

On McDonagh, who rode his first winner for him on his first ride for him aboard this horse at Downpatrick, he said: "He seems a capable rider. There are a lot of good young jockeys around at the moment."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham.