Mathan makes all to land odds

Balbir Du Mathan justified his short price in the beginners chase at Limerick when running out a cosy winner.

Denis O'Regan jumped out in front on the 1/4 shot and he opened up a gap leaving the back straight. Hugo 'n Taz reduced the advantage turning for home but Steve Mahon's charge pulled away in style in the closing stages to record a nine length victory. Sir Bob stayed on to grab the runner-up spot.

Mahon said afterwards:- "I've seen 1/18 shots of Nicky Henderson's getting beat and just because they are long odds-on it doesn't mean anything but having Denis O'Regan takes all the pressure off you. I can't understand why he doesn't get more rides in Ireland, as he just fills horses with confidence.

"He's a horse who will appreciate better ground and had been unlucky until now, but now he has paid for himself."

Recently retired trainer Barry Murphy has joined Mahon's Co Galway team in recent times, and Mahon added "Barry came to me three months ago and brought up 12 horses and has more horses to come behind. He's now my assistant and has ridden over 420 winners and knows the time of day. 

"He's the best in the world really and they don't make them like him any more - they drive lorries and tractors, harrow gallops and it takes a lot of pressure off me."

"Everything is going grand at the moment and that's ten winners this season playing with cheap horses."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)