St Lawrence Gap jumps the last under Paul Townend© Photo Healy Racing
It wouldn't be the Tramore Festival without an Eoin Doyle trained winner, and the Mooncoin handler got off the mark in the Richard Power Private Client Betting Handicap Hurdle, as St Lawrence Gap landed the spoils under Paul Townend.
Second to Glendine River on the level over the course on Thursday, the chestnut son of Tagula was making his debut in handicap company this afternoon.
Settled behind the leaders, he came with his challenge between horses before two out, and lead before the last, staying on well from there to hold off the late surge of My Manekineko by a length and a half.
The runner-up was returned at 4/1 under Ruby Walsh for James Nash, while the front-running Tagg's Island (12/1) completed the placings a further length and three parts back in third under Danny Mullins for Michael McCullagh.
Doyle said afterwards: "I was wondering would I get any winner here, but it was great to win because the horses have been under the weather for the last few weeks.
"This fella just seemed to come right at the right time, I thought he was unlucky on Thursday night.
"Paul said he travelled everywhere and he jumped great. It was his first run in a handicap and in fairness it was a good performance to do that around here.
"He is a good tough horse, and he is improving with time. He will probably go to Listowel now, and I still think there is a two mile maiden on the flat in him.
"He got the job done today and that’ll keep the lads (owners the South East Racing Club) happy."
