Muhaafiz heads for home under Gearoid Brouder© Photo Healy Racing
The Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle provided a memorable result for the Brouder brothers as they rode the first two home, Gearoid gaining the gold medal on the Val O’Brien-trained Muhaafiz at Naas.
On the back of a sixth placing over the course and distance nearly a fortnight ago, which came off a lengthy break, Muhaafiz was well found in the market, going off a 7/1 shot from double figures earlier. Bythesametoken (11/4 favourite) finished ahead of the winner in January’s contest, but this time was relegated to the runner-up position by the always on the pace victor.
Gavin Brouder rode Bythesametoken who chased home Muhaafiz at a distance of three lengths.
“It's been stop start with him, he's missed two years on and off, so it's great to get him back,” said O'Brien.
“He had a lot of problems and hopefully it's onwards and upwards now.
“He did it well and he has a good bit of class if we can keep him right. We'd be very happy with that.
“He had a good run here after 15 months off and he'll probably improve a bit again from that.
“I think there is another two-mile race for him here in a fortnight and we could switch him back to the Flat as well when that starts.”
D.J. Hand, rider of Tyrrell's Succes (FR) trained by Dermot Anthony McLoughlin, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount got tired in the latter part of this race.
(GC & EM)
