Joint owners Marshall Fleming & Brenda Ross with winning jockey Bryan Cooper© Photo Healy Racing
Flemross foiled a major gamble on the James Lambe trained Sir Ector (16/1 this morning and backed from 6/1 into 3/1 favourite on course) as he made all to take the Daily Mirror Handicap Hurdle for trainer Roy Wilson with Bryan Cooper in the saddle.
The 9yo son of Bravefoot won two novice chase in quick succession at Hexham back in June of 2009 but failed to score since on thirteen attempts.
Last year he was campaigned over fences running just four times. His best run came at Kilbeggan in July where he finished a good second to Future All Star in the Midlands National at 40/1.
Having his first run today since finishing down the field in the Galway Blazers Handicap Chase last July, the bay gelding was sent to post at 12/1 as he made all and went clear with Cerca Trova from before the fourth flight.
He was ridden to assert before the second last and he kept on well from there to score by three lengths from the staying on favourite Sir Ector back in second under Robbie Colgan.
The Jerry Cosgrave trained Seaneen Mac Ri finished a further thirteen lengths back in third at 33/1 while Cerca Trova completed the placings another half a length back in fourth at 14/1 for Paul Stafford and Robert Jones.
Marshall Fleming from Ballymena, joint winning owner with Brenda Ross, said afterwards: "I knew he would run well and he jumped well.
"He is a front runner so that keeps him out of trouble. I didn’t know how fit he was today. He is a summer horse so we will keep running him now."
Winning trainer Roy Wilson added: “He needs thunder and lightning, thunder to wake him up and lightning to make him go. He has been working well at home but he needed that run."
After the race the stewards suspended Robbie Colgan, rider of the runner-up Sir Ector, for one day for excessive use of his whip.
Philip Enright, rider of Thank Your Stars reported to the stewards after the race that his mount pulled up lame while Ruby Walsh reported that his mount, Kennysprincess never travelled and made a mistake at the third.
Donal Murphy & Michael Graham
