House battles back for the Watsons

Tyrone House rallied gamely on the run-in to grab victory as testing conditions took their toll on the runners in the concluding Tom Carroll Memorial Handicap Chase at Tramore.

The 20/1 winner had made the running under amateur Marshall Watson, who was riding for his father Keith, but was driven along going out on the final circuit of the 2m6f contest.

He responded well to his riders urgings but looked booked for second as Distracted stayed on to lead going to the final fence.

That rival had made a few blunders on the way round, particularly at the fence at halfway when Mikey Fogarty performed acrobatics to stay on.

He was wrong again at the last letting Tyrone House back into contention. Keith Watson's charge grabbed the chance and stayed on dourly on the run-in to record a half length success.

Only two of the eight starters completed with the rest of the field pulled up.

It was a first 'track' winner for the 22-year-old rider and he said afterwards:-

"That is my first winner on the racecourse, I've had four point-to-point winners. It makes up for Heavenly Brook yesterday who keeps finishing second!

"This fellow has been a grand servant to us. He was third in a hurdle and he was second in a point-to-point so he deserved the win today.

"He fought back on the run-in and he was very brave. He won over three mile one in England so he stays all day.

"My Mum and Dad fund the whole thing so a big thanks must go to them. I've had a few near misses in the past. It took me four and a half hours to get down here today so that will shorten the journey home!"

(Additional reporting by Donal Murphy)