Paddy's Milestone clears the last under Stephen Connor© Photo Healy Racing
Well supported from early shows of 10/1, Paddy's Milestone (4/1) registered his first career success in the Lough Construction Ltd Handicap Hurdle.
With some solid form to his name from last season, the Stuart Crawford-trained five-year-old was last seen finishing a far from disgraced 11th of 24 at the Punchestown Festival.
Upped in trip this afternoon, the Malinas bay was settled in mid-division on the inner by Stephen Connor, taking closer order with a circuit to race.
Coming with his challenge between horses from three out, he soon improved into a share of the lead and gained an outright advantage before the last, keeping on well when ridden to prevail by a length and a quarter.
Dermot McLoughlin 's Schiehallion (16/1) filled the runner-up spot, while Emily In Paris (7/1) and Container Madness (12/1) were close-up in third and fourth respectively.
Returned the 7/2 favourite, Brandt was a bit detached early on and suffered interference two flights from the finish. Trained by Cian Collins, he ran on well from the back of the last, finishing a never nearer fifth.
"Delighted!", Larne based Crawford enthused.
"He was probably very unlucky here when JJ (Slevin) rode him back on St Patrick's Day.
"He went to Punchestown after that and just didn't really get any luck in-running in a big-field handicap.
"He has freshened up well and has strengthened up great over the summer.
"Stephen gave him what I thought was a really, really good ride there.
"I'd say the step up in trip suited him, definitely on that better ground it did. He went the shortest way and got a few gaps here and there when he needed them.
"He won it nicely in the end.
"It is a local syndicate (the Landmark Syndicate) and to win here means the world to them.
"If there is something back here on Boxing Day, we would probably like to target that. We'll go wherever.
"Starting point getting a win on the board and work it out after that."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Brandt, trained by Cian Collins, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. Samples were taken for further analysis.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Jimli's Cave trained by R. K. Watson, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
D. Meyler, rider of Jimli's Cave, trained by R. K. Watson, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that he felt his mount had gone wrong but trotted up fine.
The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident at the second last hurdle involving Sammy Smart (GB), ridden by K.E Buckley, unplaced, Mullaghmore Wave ridden by A. Harvey, placed sixth, Schiehallion, ridden by P.M. O'Brien, placed second, and Jimli's Cave, ridden by D. Meyler, unplaced, where it appeared Schiehallion went right causing horses to get tight. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. D. Meyler stated that his mount was going backwards and he received a little bump from his outside. K.E. Buckley stated it got tight and his mount pecked on landing. A. Harvey stated that Schiehallion came in slightly on top of him and it got tight. P.M. O'Brien stated that his mount jinked right coming down towards the hurdle but felt he did his best to keep him straight. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards accepted P.M. O'Brien's evidence and took no further action.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
