Michael (left) and John Bowe with Buck Rogers and Brian Hayes© Photo Healy Racing
Buck Rogers provided the Bowe family with their second winner in the space of a week, as he took the Michael Moore Car Sales Volkswagen Portarlington Maiden Hurdle.
A half-brother to the ill-fated Fayonagh, the son of Dubai Destination had been disappointing on his first few starts, but put in an improved performance to finish fourth on his most recent outing at Tramore.
Sent off a 17/2 chance this afternoon, the five-year-old was settled in rear of mid-division and was far from fluent in the jumping department.
He made steady progress from three out and was ridden to challenge on the run-in, getting to the front in the closing stages, before going on to prevail by a length. Allbarone (15/8jfav), who led for much of the race, had to settle for second under Rachael Blackmore for Henry de Bromhead, while Get Crackin (100/1) was a further four and a quarter lengths back in third. Kilgorey was the other joint-favourite and he finished a disappointing sixth for Keith Donoghue and Yvonne Dunleavy.
John Bowe, owner/breeder, said: "He is a half-brother to Fayonagh and we had been very disappointed with him up until today. The penny has been slow to drop.
"He didn't jump well but Brian gave him an absolute master of a ride and made a man of him today. He was just running on his nerves other days. Brian gave him a lovely run down the inside and picked a bit of nice ground for him.
"Despite jumping bad we are delighted with him. The family improve with age and the penny is only beginning to drop.
"Hopefully the handicapper won't be too hard on him because it was an unplaced maiden. I don't know if he is man enough for a handicap yet so he might go for a winners of one first.
"He definitely has to improve his jumping and we'd like him to relax a bit more. He was hanging again today which he tends to do in races.
"Unfortunately, he is the last one we have out of Fair Ina because I sold her. He is an important one and he is from Solerina's family.
"At some stage he should go over fences, as he has the size. He is beginning to learn."
