O'Loughlin gets first 'track' winner with Sidetracked

The Gearoid O'Loughlin-trained Sidetracked asserted from the last to run out a convincing winner of the concluding Rathronan Maiden Hunters Chase at Clonmel this afternoon.

Barry O'Neill sat in behind the leaders on the 5/2 favourite in the early stages of the two-and-a-half mile contest.

He asked his mount to hit the front going to the second last, after getting a nice gap on the inner.

The Beneficial gelding, a half-brother to Cue Card, quickened away from the back of the last to seal matters and record a two-and-three-quarter length success over Kiera Royale

Chris Jones' six-year-old had been well held in a couple of maiden hurdle runs in December 2017 but was a point winner at Lisronagh in November before finishing second in a winners of one at Kirkistown two weeks later.

It was a first 'track' winner for O'Loughlin who is the manager of Jones Racing pre-training base in County Meath.

"that's my first winner on the track, from about five or six runners. I got my license in July and am based in Dunshaughlin,” said the winning trainer.

“I was previously assistant to Andy Lynch for two years and have Jarob, this lad and two other youngsters as well. I am a salaried trainer for Chris Jones and we keep a lot of young stock out on the farm for sales.

"Hopefully we can build up a team next season but I have competition (for the Jones horses) with two average trainers in Gordon Elliott and Henry De Bromhead!

“We'll have to try and made do with what we have and we have a few nice youngsters coming through.

"I'm a Clareman and served my time with Enda Bolger and Jim Bolger and the Costello family and Martin Brassil.

"This horse has improved with every run and he ran better in his winners' (point to point) race than his maiden.

"He is a little quirky and if he was sitting in a classroom he'd be looking out the window. We'll probably stay hunter chasing this season as he is improving away."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)