Knockraha Pylon lands 3rd Thurles success

Knockraha Pylon landed her third race at Thurles when taking the honours in the Matty Ryan Memorial Handicap Hurdle.

Jonathan Burke and Paul Townend were aboard for the previous wins of the King's Theatre mare.

However this success was made more special for handler Adrian Maguire, as his son Finny was in the plate aboard the eight-year-old.

The 3Ib claiming amateur got 10/1 shot Knockraha Pylon home two and three parts of a length to the good from Shower Cross

"One (winner) is like ten and it's a great day and I'm delighted for the O'Donoghue brothers, Joker and Benji (owners), as they are great supporters of mine and it's great to repay them with a winner," said Maguire senior.

"It's even more special when Finny rides them and it's fantastic.

"She had a wind operation before Christmas but for whatever reason, she has taken a couple of runs confidence-wise. We'll look for something again in three or four weeks."

Regarding son Finny, he added "he has one year left in college and he seems to be getting more and more keen about turning professional. It's not something I'd push him into but we'll leave it up to him. If he wanted to, I'd have to support him 100 percent.

"To be fair he keeps a handle on his weight and eats healthily. He is a big lad but does well with his weight and is doing Food Science in college."

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Rosie Alice trained by C.Byrnes, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Cubomania trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

M.A. Enright, rider of Rosie Alice trained by C.Byrnes, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a noise after the second.

(TW & EM)