Itwasfate off the mark over hurdles

The 6/5 favourite Itwasfate took the Tom McCormack Memorial Cup Maiden Hurdle for Henry de Bromhead and 5lb claimer Conor Brassil.

The five-year-old tracked market rival Old Bill Barley and headed that one between the final two flights. He stayed on well to beat Shona Mea by a length and a quarter with Old Bill Barley dropping to third on the run-in.

The Passing Glance gelding had been runner-up in two of his five starts over hurdles prior to this success.

“He’s been unlucky in a few runs recently," said Brassil

"I was following Paul (Townend on Old Bill Barley) who was jumping bad and I didn’t want to go join him and help him.

“When I went for him he really quickened and ran to the line. Experience is a good help around here and he jumped great the whole way. He kept at it well.”

Quotes from Tom Weekes