Whatsafellatodo gets Daniels off the mark

Whatsafellatodo provided Loughrea based Richard Daniels with his first success in the training ranks, as he ran out a good winner of the McHale F5000 Range Veterans Handicap Chase.

Always in the colours of the Daniels family, he won twice for Brian Cawley in 2018 and had one run for Martin Brassil the following year.

Last seen finishing fifth at Punchestown just over a year ago, the Beneficial ten-year-old came in for plenty of market support this evening, going off at 5s from early shows of 11/1.

In rear early on under JJ Slevin, he raced keenly and gradually made his way through the field, improving to lead with just over a circuit left to race.

He had all his rivals off the bridle from the second last and readily drew clear on the run-in, coming home six lengths to the good.

Returned the 10/3 favourite (from 7s early), Pakens Rock had to settle for second under Phillip Enright for Barry Murphy, while Nobody Home (18/1) was half-a-length away in third.

"After a long absence, that was a good performance," Slevin commented.

"He didn't make things easy for himself after his lay-off, he winged a few and got running with me. He's very good through the air and his jumping took him to the front.

"I tried to conserve as much energy as I could and he's won well at the line. He'd have no bother going back to two miles.

"He looked fit and well beforehand. I actually had my second-ever ride for Joey (Daniels, owner) on a horse that my father trained for him, so I know him a long time and fair play to him for giving me the spin.

"He's had his problems so hopefully he comes out of this in one piece."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined The Echo Boy trained by Dermot Anthony McLoughlin, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan