Thomond O'Mara recorded his second winner at Killarney this week (having won with Eagle’s Pass on Wednesday) as his Sultans Of Swing just got the better of Donnachas Chant by a neck in the M.L Lynch Civil Engineering Maiden Hurdle.
The 7yo son of Flemensfirth has some decent bumper form to his name and finished third over the course behind Anoosou in August of last year.
He since ran well in another bumper at Tipperary in October of last year, finishing fifth, but he disappointed on his hurdling debut last time out at Punchestown which was also in October of last year.
On his first start in nearly a year this evening, the 8/1 shot, who was ridden by Philip Enright, raced in mid-division early on. He moved into a close third three out and led at the second last.
However the 11/4 favourite under Davy Russell, Donnachas Chant, joined him at the last and after a good battle on the run-in, Sultans Of Swing just got up to score by a neck.
The pair went nine lengths clear of the third Ten Pinhal at 25/1 for Paul Roche and Roger Loughran.
Winning trainer Thomond O'Mara said afterwards: "We always thought he was good but he has had his problems. He has some good form in point-to-points and bumpers and he will go to Listowel next."
"His owner Bart Murphy flew in especially from San Francisco to see him race."
Donal Murphy
