Garryowen Oscar landed the spoils on his handicap hurdle debut, in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, for his trainer Charlie Swan with Brian Cawley in the saddle.
The winning son of Oscar, chased the leaders for much of the race, before closing to take the lead on the run to the second last. He soon went clear from there and was ridden out on the stands rail to score by three lengths at the line from the staying on Bandra Bullet at 7/1. Snow Flyer finished a further six lengths back in third for Tom Taaffe and Bryan Cooper at 8/1, while the disappointing 7/2 favourite Respectueux could only manage fourth for his trainer Jason Cairns.
The winner had show flashes of ability on his seven runs before today, running well at Limerick on two occasions, finishing eight and a half lengths sixth to Rourke’s Cross in a bumper before running well to again finish six on his last start, just under nine lengths behind Half Full.
He was returned at the generous odds of 12/1, considering his last run and the fact this was a very ordinary contest.
Frank Hogan, the winning owner, has tasted plenty of success in the past with Garryowen Star and Crooked Throw (who he co-owned). Those two managed to win eleven races between them.
Winning trainer Charlie Swan said afterwards: "His owners have been very patient. He has been a bit unlucky as we were riding him wrong. We will see what the handicapper does with him now. He could go chasing soon."
Donal Murphy
