Firstman beats Magnetic North© Photo Healy Racing
Firstman came from off the pace to win the Sean Cleary Memorial Handicap at odds of 14/1.
The Zoffany gelding was given a fine ride by Ben Coen who got all the splits when he needed them in the straight.
Coen produced his mount to lead a hundred yards out and he came home half a length in front of last year’s winner Magnetic North with the 7/2 favourite Isaiah a length and a quarter further back in third.
Twice a winner for Jean-Claude Rouget in France, this was a second Irish success for Firstman who scored at Dundalk in the autumn.
Winning trainer Tony Martin, “He’s owned by three great local lads and fortunately things went right for him today.
“Ben is top class and he carried out what he was supposed to do to perfection.
“He won in Dundalk last year and we claimed him back as I felt there would be days in him and he jumps as well.
“He’ll probably run back on the Flat in three or four weeks and then go back over hurdles.”
Quotes from Alan magee
