Hammersmith and Gavin Brouder © Photo Healy Racing
Hammersmith (3/1) put his considerable experience to good use when making all in the Kenny Developments Maiden Hurdle.
Gavin Brouder got the 5-year-old into a good rhythm out in front and had the race in safe keeping turning in to face the last. The winner coasted clear on the run-in to beat the 7/4 favourite Clondaw Bertie by eleven lengths.
The No Nay Never gelding, whose sole win on the Flat came in a Curragh nursery, had been placed five times from eleven previous starts over hurdles.
Winning trainer James Nash said: “That's a long time coming. When I sold him to the owners (Michael and John O’Flynn) I didn't think we'd be waiting this long for him to win a maiden hurdle.
“Michael O'Flynn was very nice to him the other evening after he ran in the north as he called him a rogue while I was being a bit stronger!
“We'll probably have to stay away from the Flat. He had two wind-ops and his old confidence has gone.
“His work has always been very good and maybe he might get a bit of confidence back after that.
“Obviously he wants real nice ground. He's a fine big horse that jumps fabulous and we'll try and find him a little winners race somewhere. There might be something in Listowel.
“It'll get a bit tougher with him from here but it's nice to go and win a maiden eventually.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
