Miller gives McNamara a winning 'spare'

Jockey Andrew McNamara came in for the winning spare ride on the Henry De Bromhead trained Miller Of Glanmire in the Knockenduff Stud Beginners Chase at Tramore today, a race which contained more than the usual high rate of attrition for any maiden chase.

McNamara, deputising for unwell Andrew Lynch, settled the son of Oscar behind the leaders for much of the trip. One by one, contenders fell away with just Ring Ben and Miller Of Glamire in contention from early on the final circuit.

Miller Of Glanmire moved past Ring Ben from the second last and was kept going by McNamara for a two and a half lengths win over his sole danger, with gaps of 60 and 76 lenghts back to the other two finishers.

De Bromhead was at Fairyhouse but afterwards McNamara, who combined with the trainer to win the 2008 Irish Champion Hurdle with Sizing Europe, said “it was a nice spare ride to get and he jumped very well and he handled the ground.”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Donal Murphy