Its Gonnahappen and Harley Dunne pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Newcomer Its Gonnahappen provided Lar Byrne with his first track success since November of 2015, as he ran out an easy winner of the opener at Gowran this afternoon, the first divide of the Goresbridge Maiden Hurdle.
Owned and ridden by Harley Dunne, the successful son of Flemensfirth is out of Royal Choice, who is a half-sister to Special Tiara, and a Grade 3 winner over fences in her own right.
Sent off a 25/1 chance, the five-year-old was settled in mid-division on the inner making gradual progress from five out.
He travelled smoothly to the front on the approach to two out and stretched clear on the run-in, coming home twelve lengths to the good. Hollywood West (11/1) filled the runner-up spot under Cian Cullinan for Helen Markham, while well-backed debutant Moonacurra (40/1 this morning, returned 11s) was another eight and a half lengths back in third.
The Michael O'Callaghan trained King Arthurs Sword was sent off the 6/4 favourite, but he folded tamely from four out and pulled up before the next.
Dunne said afterwards: "I've had a couple of point-to-point winners in my own colours but that's the first on the track.
"It went very smooth - he travelled, jumped and never really came out of a canter. He was just idling from the last and was crying out for a bit of company.
"I was in front from the turn in. I didn't want to be there but he just took me there and there was nothing able to go with me.
"I always thought a lot of him. He's always been a nice horse but was a bit weak last year and we didn't get a run into him. Then Covid came and everything has been put back and we had to go this route. He's for sale."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined King Arthurs Sword, trained by M.D. O'Callaghan, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. Samples were taken for further analysis.
Rachael Blackmore, rider of King Arthurs Sword trained by M.D. O'Callaghan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that her mount stopped quickly.
At the request of the Stewards, S.W. Flanagan, rider of Buzz Light trained by Michael Mulvany, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount did not handle todays going.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
