Elegant Dan (Sean Flanagan, nearside) beat Pat Coyne (Denis O'Regan)© Photo Healy Racing
Fresh from a brace at Kilbeggan last evening Sean Flanagan triumphed in division two of Tramore Handicap Hurdle aboard top-weight and second favourite Elegant Dan
Flanagan had finished second for Elegant Dan’s owner and trainer, Denis Tarrant and David O’Brien, on Ran Rite in race two on this programme.
The Wexford man wasn’t settling for the silver medal on Elegant Dan though.
A big sweet-travelling son of Dansant, the successful seven-year-old carries his head high but he comfortably consented to go by Pat Coyne with a crack or two of the whip on the run-in. The margin between the pair at the line was a length.
"It's great for his owner (Denis Tarrant) as he has been very patient,” said O’Brien.
“He is a massive big horse and is only coming to himself now so hopefully he might pick up a few more similar races before going chasing as he jumps well.
“He ran in a couple of point-to-points when he was young but he was weak and backward then.
“In fairness to Denis he has been patient with all his horses and the other lad (Ran Rite) ran well while he has My Oakclahome in the last. Hopefully he will run well.
"My horses seem to run well for me around here.
“In fairness they all probably took the first run back and they are coming forward for it thank God.
“If there is a race suitable for him, he will definitely come back here next month. For a big horse he is light on his feet and he likes good ground."
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Pak Army trained by J.R. Barry, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have superficial wounds on its left hind but to be otherwise post race normal.
(DM & EM)
