Game Catch and connections after their Listowel win© Photo Healy Racing
Division one of the Guinness Handicap Hurdle at Listowel saw a dramatic finish with favourite Game Catch getting up late to score under trainer/rider Paul Power.
A huge amount bigger than Game Catch’s starting price of 4/1 was available in-running, as eventual runner-up Time And Times traded at the minimum 1.01 after safely negotiating the last with what looked a race-winning advantage.
However, following up on his Kilbeggan success from three weeks back, Game Catch finished with a real flourish to post a good length and a half victory at the finish.
The winner matched at 500 in-running and Power afterwards joked: "I was always comfortable - it was only a matter of pushing the button!
"I was hammering that button down the back - there must have been a delay on it, but he's like that. He hits a flat spot when they quicken first and then he just stays.
"A lot of us missed the second last but I landed running and within two strides I was gone away from the back of it. Hopefully he will keep progressing.
"I mainly break and pre-train and all mine are for sale."
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Shrule Operator trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
P.J. Cawley, rider of Ni Mhaonaigh trained by Brian Francis Cawley, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his saddle slipped.
D.J. O'Keeffe, rider of Princesse Cleni (FR) trained by E. McNamara, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount stopped quickly.
(TW & EM)
