Sammy stronger at the finish than Rory

Amateur rider John O'Neill, on the mark yesterday at Gowran on Sydney Thompson, was seen to good effect again on Rory O'Moore but his brave effort in the Naas Supporters Handicap Hurdle ultimately came up short as Sammy Black prevailed for Tony and Danny Mullins.

It was only from before the last in the two mile three furlong event, that clear pace-setter Rory O'Moore's bid for glory looked doomed to fail.

The Stowaway gelding got that flight wrong and the Barry Connell-owned Sammy Black came home well up the run-in to defeat Hazariban by a length and three parts with three parts of a length back to the aforementioned Rory O'Moore.

Tony Mullins stated: "He only ran middling at Christmas – the same as Bishopslough and I really fancied the two of them.

"They must have had something but they're back to themselves now.

"He's a very reliable horse at that level. He's the type that there's four or five days in rather than one big day.

"He's a great jumper and should do well over fences.

"He's a very well balanced sound horse."

The Stewards requested a report from Anthony Mullins, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Sammy Black (GER), placed first, as compared with its recent form. The trainer reported that his charge disappointed on his last start at Leopardstown on soft ground. Subsequently, the horse was given a break and freshened up. He added that his yard now seems in better form, having gone through a quiet spell. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the report.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Talbot Road trained by A.L.T.Moore, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be clinically normal post race, having lost a shoe in running.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Reizovic trained by John E. Kiely, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have a grazed hock post race.

(AM & EM)