Markham's Old Supporter a welcome track win The veteran Old Supporter put in a great display of jumping to dominate Tramore's extended two mile five handicap chase. He gave trainer Helen Markham a first track success since 2000. The 12-year-old leaped from fence to fence for Rachael Blackmore as they made all. He was driven out on the run-in to account for Model Cloud by two and three quarter lengths. His SP was 11/2 with the runner-up an 11/1 chance. Roevin Star was a further three parts of a length behind in third at 20/1. He moved threateningly into second after the third last but his effort petered out before the final fence. Trainer Helen Markham said: "He didn't get into Killarney and he went to Stradbally instead. It's great and I'm delighted with him. He won two point-to-points and we said we'd try him on the track again. He is a real summer horse and he loves that good ground. "That's his plan (to go out in front), that's the way he runs. Rachael settled him brilliantly, he switched off and jumped away. There is a race at Clonmel for him next week and he might run there, we will see how he is in the morning. "I do a lot of pre-training and breaking and it's nice to have a winner on the track. I'm based in Grangecon in Wicklow. His owner Louis Hill is not far away in Punchestown." The going was changed from good to good to firm before this race. Barry John Foley, jockey on runner-up Model Cloud, was given a one-day suspension by the stewards for using his whip with his arm above shoulder height in the latter stages of the race. Additional reporting by Donal Murphy
