David O’Brien puts 1st track double on the board A 10/1 double for the Fastey For Fun Syndicate, David O’Brien and Sean Flanagan was completed at Thurles by Cusp Of Carabelli (9/2) in the We're In This Together Handicap Chase. On the mark half-an-hour earlier with Minx Tiara (evens favourite), the success of Cusp Of Carabelli was more hard fought as he got the better of Rocky’s Silver by half a length after arriving on the scene travelling well. They left Star Max twelve lengths back in third. Favourite Espion Du Chenet seemed to be about to get into it when unseating three out, whilst Jack Dillinger hadn’t really played his full hand either when falling two out. "I feel like a proper trainer now!" - was O'Brien's immediate quip. He elaborated: "That was lovely and I'm so delighted for the syndicate. Both the winners were cheap horses and they're after having great fun with them. Myself and the Grants from Waterford are in it and you wouldn't get nicer people to train for. "Minx Tiara was bought for E1,000 and this lad cost E900 and that's his fifth win and my first double. "He pulled a shoe going to the first fence the last day and Sean said he was never happy. "He now seems to handle testing ground and what I'll do now I don't know." Cusp Of Carabelli was the 'vanishing horse' when finishing third in the Galway Blazers last year (went momentarily unnoticed by the caller around the inner) and he added "I hadn't spotted him at all in the Galway race and had actually gone away but next thing the result came through and he was third!" "I thought he was left with a little too much to do so I might give him a break and aim for that. "I keep about 15 horses, James English works with me and it is a family job and in fairness Sean rides work whenever I need him." The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Charlie Stout, trained by Shane Nolan, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. Samples were taken for analysis. (TW & EM)
