Stonehall Jack and David Splaine© Photo Healy Racing
Corkonian David Splaine is enjoying a productive weekend in the south-east, adding to a Wexford Friday night victory with success on Stonehall Jack in the Waterford & Tramore Racecourse Directors Handicap Chase.
There were similarities in the wins too. At Bettyville Splaine won another handicap chase for a Muster trainer, on Michael McDonagh's Spancil Hill.
Here he was aboard Stonehall Jack for Limerick's Davy Fitzgerald, and the Gamut gelding sealed the issue with a sound jump at the last, seeing off Garrai Phaidin by two and three parts of a length.
"That was long overdue and I'm delighted. He had a good run at Thurles on his first run back and I fancied him today," revealed Fitzgerald.
"I nearly didn't run him because they called it yielding, I was praying we'd have a dry day and it would be good.
"The key to him is good ground, firm ground if we could get it.
"He normally has to get his own way in front. He never runs a bad race once he has his ground.
"He might go to Fairyhouse next. There is a 3m 6f 0-135 after the Irish National for horses that didn't get into in.
"I'd love to run him in that, and if he got a freebie in front he doesn't stop galloping.
"I think I'll have a better year this year than last. I have some nice horses to run for the summer."
(DM & EM)
