McNamaras on the mark with Groveman

Trainer Eric McNamara and his Derby winning jockey son Emmet McNamara landed the Brennan's Pharmacy Handicap at Tramore today with ex-UK trained Groveman which was registering a seventh career win.

The six year old son of Holy Roman Emperor was a 7,000gns purchase last October having won five times in Britain and today added to his Cork hurdles win in May when beating Sevenna Star by a length and a half.

Trainer McNamara later commented “we thought the track would suit him, he has made the running before and it suited him. Going through the race we didn't see another front-runner and we thought we might be able to steal it from the front. It doesn't always work but it did today.

"He was in great form and was very fit. He was only beaten four lengths in Galway in a very competitive race, so we thought coming here that he had his chance.

“He might go to Down Royal for another two-mile race on the flat and then he'll go back over hurdles at Listowel. He won over hurdles with my other son Conor aboard and now he is after winning for Emmet, so he has been a lucky horse for us."

Quotes from Donal Murphy