Brave Fortune and Jack Doyle (left) win from Lady Rose Hackett © Photo Healy Racing
A better jump at the last sealed things for Brave Fortune as Pat Doyle's charge justified good support in the opening INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel this afternoon. Charlie's Dilemma cut out the running in the two-mile-three contest but was claimed by both Brave Fortune and Lady Rose Hackett going to the second last flight.
The eventual winner was a bit untidy at that hurdle but was good at the last as his rival made a slight error there.
Jack Doyle kept the even-money shot (7/4 this morning) going in the closing stages to record a convincing five-and-a-half length success.
"I thought he was capable of doing that but he has been disappointing,” said Doyle senior.
“He appreciates the ground and if the ground stays the way it is, we'll look for the 2m4f winners' of one race at Thurles in the coming weeks: two-and-a-half plus is his trip.
"He is a lovely big horse who cost a lot of money and we were always hoping he'd do something like that.
“He will make a nice horse over fences and will go chasing in the spring but won't run on winter ground."
(Quotes by Tom Weekes)
