Arizengo and Paddy O'Hanlon© Photo Healy Racing
Reportedly backed at 100/1 earlier and clipped into 12/1 from 20/1 on track, Arizengo justified the faith of his supporters in the Leugh Handicap Hurdle at Thurles.
Trained in County Armagh by Keith Watson, having been with Harry Smyth in County Antrim in the past, Arizengo provided jockey Paddy O’Hanlon with a third jumps winner and a fourth overall.
Arizengo got it done in convincing fashion too, by four and a quarter lengths from Old Town Road
"We had him in the spring time when Harry Smyth sent him to us and I bought him off Harry this year for his current owners," said Watson's son Marshall.
"He made bad mistake the last day at Galway when he twisted his back and the physio has done great work on him. We were genuinely disappointed with him at Galway as he travelled so well but after the bad mistake it was curtains.
"He had been working extremely well recently and the boys all took the 100/1 this morning, and I include myself in that! I backed him each-way."
The Stewards enquired into the fall of Bannow Breeze ridden by D.J. McInerney turning out of the back straight The rider reported that his mount stumbled and fell independently having sustaining an injury. Having considered the evidence and viewed a recording of the incident, the Stewards took no further action.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Fight For Love (FR), trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard post race. Samples taken for analysis.
(TW & EM)
