Hairy takes the last for the Roches

Hairy O'Malley got off the mark on his fourth attempt as he took the bumper at Punchestown this afternoon, the Goffs Invitational Sale (Pro-Am) Flat Race.

Trained by Christy Roche, and ridden by his son Padraig (first winner since March 11th 2012), the five-year-old son of Oscar (second winner of the day after Jetson was sent off a 9/4 chance, having opened at 3/1 with Paddy Power this morning.

Not beaten far on his first three efforts, the successful bay hit the front shortly before the straight, and he was driven out from over a furlong from home, keeping on well to score by two and a half lengths. Bosman Rule who opened at 10/11 with Powers this morning, went off the 11/8 favourite for Willie and Patrick Mullins, but he couldn’t peg back the winner in the closing stages, and he had to settle for second, while Boulevard King was a further three lengths back in third under Adam O’Neill for John Berry.

Christy Roche said afterwards: “His run at Naas was probably good enough. He jumps well and he will go for a maiden hurdle now.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee