Leahy partners first winner on tricky President Adam Leahy partnered his first winner as Party President, carrying the colours of the winning rider, took the Franco Hughes Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle at Naas. Leahy had an unfortunate experience on his last visit to Naas back in December when the gelding reared up in the parade ring and the rider suffered a broken hip. However, it was all smiles on this occasion as he punched the air in triumph crossing the line. Patty O’farrell appeared the likely winner when travelling well in front approaching the final flight but Party President found plenty on the run-in to reel her in. A length and a quarter separated the pair at the line, with Queen Of Seduction a length further back in third and Sydney Cruiser completed the places in fourth. Winning trainer Tony Mullins said, “I thought the ground would improve him, but I didn’t think it would improve him that much. “He’s not a bad horse, he’s a little difficult. Adam broke his hip off him here the last day he rode him, before the race. “He’s a little excitable and he has a lot of growing up to do. “He’s a fine big horse and he’ll do more than that. I’m not saying he’ll be going to Cheltenham or anything but he’s going to do more than that. “Seeing that improvement on the ground we’ll keep him going.” Quotes by Gary Carson
