Lordan & O'Mara on the mark with Avalanche Avalanche took the second divide of the Blizzards Play Live July 14th Handicap, after the well-fancied Sleepy Head (was the 10/3 market leader at the time of withdrawal) was withdrawn at the start after refusing to load. The Thomond O'Mara trained eight-year-old recorded his first success last August at Killarney, and ran well to finish third on his return to action at Listowel earlier this month. Having opened at 7/1 on-course, the grey gelding came in for some support, and went off an 11/2 chance under Wayne Lordan. Settled in mid-division, he was pushed along from two furlongs out, and was ridden to the front with a furlong left to race, keeping on well from there to score by three parts of a length. Tamara Love ran a nice race to finish second under Gary Carroll for Edmond Kent at 33/1, while Eadaoins Pet (20s this morning, returned 9s) was another length back in third for David Simmonson and Johnny Feane. The Damian English trained Wild Shot was the other 11/2 joint-favourite (from 13/2) and he finished sixth under Shane Foley. Wayne Lordan said afterwards: "We went a good gallop and it suited him. Thomond's horses are running very consistently this year so it's good." STEWARDS REPORT * The Stewards informed Patrick J.Flynn, trainer that Sleepy Head, would have to be recertified before being declared to run from stalls again.
