Opportunity knocks as Cadatharla hacks up

Well-supported Cadatharla (10/11f) survived a final flight error to make a winning handicap debut at Naas today, landing the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle for the race sponsor, owner J.P. McManus.

Cadatharla, which translates as 'what happened?' in Irish, had shown promise in three maidens and today debuted from a rating of 109, under jockey Aidan Kelly.

The son of Flemensfirth, whose jumping wasn't always fluent, led travelling well at the second-last but blundered at the last, although had plenty in reserve to beat Justicialism comfortably.

Winning trainer Colm Murphy wasn't present and McManus' racing manager Frank Berry said “he won nicely and he's a nice big horse. He was quite green at times but apart from the last he jumped reasonably well.

“I don't know where we'll go now. He ran well in his three maiden hurdles and is after coming on. That mightn't have been the greatest race in the world but he did it nicely and it's nice to win our own race.

“He's a big, tall, green horse and he's learning on the job.”

Quotes from Gary Carson