Mikey Fogarty with the Conyngham Cup © Photo Healy Racing
Jockey Mikey Fogarty gained a most deserved win in the prestigious Amateur National For The Conyngham Cup (Q.R.) Handicap Chase at Punchestown today when winning on the Paul Nolan trained Panther Claw
Fogarty, a very able rider but who has been plagued with injury in recent times, moved Panther Claw to dispute the lead with long-time leader Current Resession when that rival fell at the second last fence. Current Resession's exit left Panther Claw well clear and Fogarty kept the son of Old Vic going to eventually defeat Spot The Boss
Afterwards trainer Nolan stated “that was Panther Claw's first run in a handicap and after Liz's (Doyle) horse beat him the last day, he received a mark of 116 which we were hoping he'd be competitive from.
“I thought today's race cut up a bit and there wasn't much depth to it and it didn't look a wonderful contest. That said, he jumped well and that basically won it for him as there was plenty of birth flying over the last few! He's a slow horse and he wants every yard of that trip.”
Fogarty, recording his 48th racecourse winner and his first of this season, later added “this win means more to me than more than any other! I had my shoulder pinned last February and was out for six months and then had surgery on a disc in my back in October and only came back on St Stephen's Day.”
