Brilliant Question (left) pops the last under Robbie Geoghegan© Photo Healy Racing
Brilliant Question provided Galway natives Robbie Geoghegan and Kevin Heffernan with a memorable success in the Follow Limerick Racecourse On Instagram Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
Earlier successful aboard Noble Talent Geoghegan was registering a first track double, while Athenry based owner/trainer Heffernan was recording his initial racecourse success.
An eye-catching fourth over the course and distance in November, the Gutaifan grey was sent off an 11/1 chance this afternoon.
Given a patient ride on the inner, the 80-rated victor took closer order from five out and came with her challenge on the run to the penultimate obstacle.
Pushed along to lead before the last, she surged clear on the run-in and came home five-and-a-half lengths clear of Carlas Big Jim (5/1) and Jack Gilligan in second.
There was a further five-and-a-half lengths back to Go Gill Go (11/1) in third, while Pana To Milan (9/2f from 10s early) could only manage a disappointing ninth.
"I've had 25 point-to-point winners, and I’ve had 16 horses placed on the track, but that's the first one to get over the line for me, so I'm delighted," Heffernan revealed.
"I've had a few seconds, thirds, fourths - trying to get one over the line in this country is not the easiest thing to do.
"She’s a lovely little mare. She’s been placed five times on the Flat and now she’s a winner over hurdles.
"I'm a farrier in Galway so I help out all the local trainers around me. I shoe most of the horses in Galway, so it's a little family we have.
"I've a few point-to-pointers and a few horses for the summer, on good ground. We’ve only a small string — we’ve seven riding out - and Andrew Flaherty, my nephew, is the main man. He does all the riding out, and we push the wheelbarrow!”
"That's my first double as a professional. I rode a double before as an amateur in point-to-points but that’s my first on the track," Geoghegan revealed.
"There are a lot of bad days but this makes up for it."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Flemens Intrest trained by David Richard Barry, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be coughing post race possibly as a result of kick back.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
