Imperial Shabra makes all under Treacy

Another pillar-to-post victory was seen at Galway today as 14/1 outsider Imperial Shabra put in a great display of jumping as he dominated the feature race – the Deacy Gilligan Novice Chase.

Fresh from his 66/1 win on Flamenco Prince last week at Downpatrick (also for trainer Oliver Brady), young Ryan Treacy was the pilot on board Imperial Shabra and the pair were never headed.

On the run-in Imperial Shabra raced track-width apart from Lord Ben but was always in command. Even money favourite Laganbank got up to pip Lord Ben for second but he was beaten four and three quarters of a length by the winner.

“I’d like to thank Oliver (Brady) and Rita Shah [owner] for giving me so may opportunities. That’s just my second ride over fences and he’s a brilliant jumper. I was delighted to get the ride on him,” Ryan Treacy said.

“Fair play to Anthony (McCann). He is doing a great job in the yard.”

Anthony McCann, assistant trainer to Oliver Brady, added: “He didn’t get the trip in Kilbeggan the last day on good ground. He wouldn’t be a massive fan of this ground. He’ll come on again for this.”

Oliver Brady, in a phonecall from Attheraces, said: “I don’t give up on my horses. That Imperial Shabra is some horse. He’s a great wee horse at two miles two. He just doesn’t get three miles.

“You should be putting that young man in for ride of the year!”

(on course reporting by Donal Murphy)