Uponthe Hoof is driven out by Barry Geraghty© Photo Healy Racing
On his first try over three miles Uponthe Hoof delivered on the promise he had shown on previous outings as he took the www.thetote.com maiden hurdle for Tom Taaffe and Barry Geraghty (double for him after partnering Rawnaq to win earlier on the card).
The 5yo son of Presenting was just beaten into second on his last two outings over hurdles, by a neck at Wexford and by a length at Limerick.
Both of those efforts came over 2m 4f and stepped up to three miles for the first time today he was waited with in behind the leaders for most of the race.
He travelled well entering the straight and hit the front approaching the last. He was ridden on the run-in and drifted right, in front of Roadtoabbeyfeale (8/1) under Eddie O’Connell just holding him off by a neck at the line.
A stewards enquiry was called after the race due to Uponthe Hoof drifting right close home but no alteration was made to the result.
Roadtoabbeyfeale had to settle for second for his trainer John Supple while Nuggets Of Wisdom ran a cracker to finish a further length and a half back in third under Andrew Thornton for David O’Brien at 25/1. Gate Please was sent off the 5/2 favourite for Michael Hourigan and Adrian Heskin but he could only manage a well beaten fifth.
Winning trainer Tom Taaffe said afterwards: "He was unlucky that the horse (Hello Louie) fell in front of him at the second last. He is a baby."
The winner is part owned by professional golfer Lee Westwood and his manager Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler.
The Stewards enquired into possible inteference in the closing stages of this race involving Uponthe Hoof, ridden by B J Geraghty, winner and Roadtoabbeyfeale, ridden by E J O’Connell, placed second. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judge’s placings and took no further action.
(On-course reporting by Michael Graham)
