Peculiar Genius and Dylan Robinson© Photo Healy Racing
Successful on this card a year ago, Paul Nolan's Peculiar Genius returned to Tramore to land a gamble in the Ani-Pets Veterinary Clinic Rated Novice Chase.
Partnered by in-form local rider Dylan Robinson, Peculiar Genius got the better of Blue Empyrean up the run-in for a half length verdict. Soul Kaliber had every chance when unseating Jack Kennedy at the second last fence.
Peculiar Genius was backed from 5/1 into 4/1 on track, and from much bigger earlier.
Nolan's brother James said afterwards: "They are running well. We shouldn't have run him the other day at Limerick, I thought the two mile six trip would suit him there. The ground was really deep there.
"He is brave at his fences, he took off at the last with a circuit to go, landed in the middle of it and got a fright. He had lost his nerve then and was pulled up.
"We schooled him over hurdles the last few days and gave him a pop over fences this morning and he jumped like a stag. I'm glad we ran him now.
"Track form is amazing here. He won a handicap hurdle this day last year and so he handles the track.
"We'll see what kind of mark he gets, he jumps well and he'll mix it between hurdles and fences.
"It's great for his owners (Manverton Limited) who are brilliant supporters of the yard, Jim Coffey and his sister Susan Spence."
The Stewards requested a report from Paul Nolan, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Peculiar Genius, placed first, as compared with its recent form. James Nolan, authorised representative of the trainer, reported that Peculiar Genius had made a very bad mistake on his previous run and his rider on the day pulled him up thereafter, as he had lost all confidence. He said his charge was well schooled since that run and he felt this had attributed to the improved performance. Having considered the report, the Stewards noted the explanation offered.
(DM & EM)
