Liam Casey, holding his daughter Lily, and Paddy Manganafter the success of Betterthanalright© Photo Healy Racing
Betterthanalright provided local trainer Liam Casey with something of a shock victory at Clonmel when taking the two and a half miles Demense Maiden Hurdle at odds of 14/1.
Paddy Mangan had the six-year-old gelding close to the pace throughout, and took over in the lead on the final circuit as 8/15 favourite Are Ya Right Chief started to struggle under Ruby Walsh.
The winner was in command from two out as he stayed on strongly to beat Noble Pageant (6/1) by five lengths, with Presenting Lol (16/1) another two lengths adrift in third.
The hot favourite proved a bitter disappointment, and could only plug on onepaced to finish fourth. He was later found to be clinically abnormal.
Casey said, “He’s a home-bred and won his point-to-point at Dromahane last October. I’m delighted to win a maiden hurdle with him.
“I stuck him in a handicap hurdle at Thurles next Thursday. He’ll probably have one more run over hurdles, and then we’ll leave him off and go chasing in the autumn.”
