Courtncatcher leads over the last from Protaras© Photo Healy Racing
Strong-travelling Fethard Player traded 1.07 in-running for the two mile six handicap hurdle at Killarney, but he faded at the business end as Courtncatcher came through under Andrew McNamara.
Fethard Player was strolling along at the head of affairs entering the home straight. However, he was ridden at the second last and dropped to third jumping the last. That was the place he finished in at 8/1.
McNamara guided Courtncatcher (14/1) into a threatening position before two out and the pair improved to lead at the final flight. From there nothing was going to stop them passing the post first by two and a quarter lengths. Protaras kept on well for second, also at 14/1.
Andrew McNamara said: “He’s a little champ of a horse. He never stops trying. Of all the days he has won I thought today might have been too much of an ask. I thought he had risen enough.
“Three out I thought he would run a nice race, but I thought Ian’s horse (Fethard Player) had them. But his lad tied up. Courtncatcher pricked his ears and he picked up. He’s small, but does well to jump.”
This was Courtncatcher’s sixth career success.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
