Lindenhurst shows plenty of sparkle

Lindenhurst must have enjoyed his trips across the Irish Sea which yielded a win and a second in Bangor and Hexham, as he returned to Tramore to hack up in the mile and a half handicap.

The 11/4 (from 9/2 in the morning) shot trained by John McConnell appeared to really relish the yielding conditions as he cruised into contention three furlongs out. From there Emmet McNamara gave him the office to go on and win by five lengths from John Murphy’s Seismic at 3/1. Granny On Fire #8217;s recent improvement came to a halt on this rain-sodden ground. She was stepping up markedly in trip and the 5/4 favourite had to settle for third, beaten 12 and a half lengths in total.

“I’m not surprised by that. On his hurdles form I thought he would win. I thought the favourite wouldn’t stay,” John McConnell said.

“He’s a progressive horse. We nearly sold him for three and a half grand at Goffs last year, but we bought him back. I thought he was worth more than that.

“I think he has turned the corner and I was delighted when the rain came. Hopefully the handicapper won’t crucify him now. He’ll go for a handicap hurdle in England now.”

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy