Katie T (Brian Hughes) leads Modem over the last in the BoyleSports Hurdle© Photo Healy Racing
Kevin Prendergast is no stranger to big race success on the flat, and the veteran Curragh trainer struck in the featured BoyleSports Handicap Hurdle as Katie T took the €100,000 event at Leopardstown under Brian Hughes.
The six-year-old mare travelled ominously well to lead before the final flight but edged left across Modem on the run-in which prompted a stewards enquiry for which Hughes picked up a two-day careless riding ban.
However the 12/1 chance stayed on well on the run-in to score by three lengths and not surprisingly the placings remained unaltered.
Topweight Ted Veale stayed on in eye-catching fashion a further length and three quarters back in third, with another Tony Martin-trained gelding Savello in fourth.
Prendergast said, "She's a good mare and he gave her a superb ride. Brian was apprenticed to me and I'm surprised more of the big trainers in England don't use him because he's a superb rider.
"The winner got a solo at Fairyhouse (last time) and we were shuffled back a bit. She's been going well at home since. We'll keep her for a nice mares race in Punchestown now."
Hughes said, "Mr Prendergast was very good to me. It's the only job I had in Ireland and I was with him for three and a half years. He gave me my first three winners and got me riding over hurdles. He always knew I was going to end up as a jump jockey.
"It's great to ride him a big winner. Riding work there is an experience, and I've learned the most there.
"I couldn't believe how well I was going, and I probably got there a bit soon. Once I gave her a smack she put her head down and galloped all the way to the line.
"I drifted in and didn't do enough to stop her, so the stewards took the opinion that I deserved a couple of days."
(GC & AM)
