Just Get Cracking and Paul Townend lead over the last © Photo Healy Racing
James Dullea continued his excellent record at Tramore (6th success here from his 11 winners) as his Just Get Cracking took the 2015 Waterford & Tramore Racecourse Supporters Club Handicap Hurdle under Paul Townend.
The five-year-old son of Winged Love was sent off a 6/1 chance (from 11/2 on-course and from 8/1 overnight) on his first run in handicap company.
Settled towards the rear he was fifth after three out and was pushed along to go third at the second last.
He was ridden to lead at the last and was driven out on the run-in, keeping on best to score by two and a half lengths. Rebel Cry (6/1 to 9/2) finished second under Mark Enright for Norman Lee while recent Limerick winner Black Ice (7/2) was a further four and three parts of a length back in third under Shane Butler for Seamus Fahey. Stay With It was sent off the 10/3 favourite but he could only manage a disappointing seventh under Eamonn Corbett for Mick Winters.
Dullea said afterwards: "I think he did it well enough in the end for a horse having his first run in a handicap.
"I think today is the first day we have realised what type of ground he wants. We always thought he would go on a bit of heavy but Paul said he didn't enjoy it.
"We will wait for a bit of better ground for him now and up him in trip. He will go for something similar.
"I'm delighted for his owners Sean O'Connor and Catriona Donovan. They have been involved with a few horses in the yard and this is their first winner together.
"It is great to get a winner here on New Year's Day. We have been lucky here and I love coming back here."
