Lucca (noseband) leads home Trump Card and Lizard Point (blue and green)© Photo Healy Racing
Jarlath Fahey joined his brother Peter on the scoresheet at Tipperary this evening, as his Lucca took the first divide of the tipperaryraces.ie Handicap.
Having shown little in three maiden efforts at Dundalk, the son of Echo Of Light wasn't beaten far in seventh on his handicap debut at the all-weather venue in February.
He came in for some support on his first turf start over the course and distance in April, but finished a disappointing twelfth of fifteen on that occasion.
Available at 16/1 this morning, the five-year-old bay opened on-course at 14s, before going off a 10/1 chance under Ronan Whelan.
Pushed along from the stalls he was soon settled in second, and hit the front with three furlongs left to race.
He was ridden to assert with a furlong and a half remaining, and he kept on well from there to score by a length and a half. Trump Card who was sent off the 10/3 favourite, finished second under Billy Lee for Conor O'Dwyer, while Lizard Point (10/1) was a head back in third for the double seeking duo of Chris Hayes and Pat Flynn.
Ronan Whelan said afterwards: "Jarlath quietly fancied him and said the main thing was to get him out and get him in a rhythm. He was a bit on it and off it the whole way and was still a little bit green and is still learning his job.
"I was concerned he would get a little bit lonely down the straight but he stuck at it and he'll be competitive away in those 1m 4f handicaps at this grade.
"I'm very friendly with the connections and they were very good to me early in my career and it's nice to repay them - it's my first winner for Jarlath since riding Jennies Jewel to win at Royal Ascot last year."
STEWARDS REPORTS
R.P. Cleary, rider of Greanta trained by Thomas Cleary, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount did not get a clear run.
The Stewards requested a report from Jarlath P.Fahey, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Lucca, placed first, as compared with its recent form. The trainer's representative reported that his charge disappointed on his last start on ground softer than ideal. He added that today's return to a better surface(good), helped his charge return to form. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation offered.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
