Marshim and Andrew McNamara © Photo Healy Racing
The decision to try Marshim over fences again reaped rewards as he sprung a 20/1 shock in the opening Templemore Beginners Chase at Thurles.
The 13-year-old has been a good servant for Walter Power, scoring three times over timber, but despite being a former point-to-pointer winner he has only had two runs over fences before today.
The last came in June 2012 and he was beaten a long way in both those outings.
Not surprisingly he was easy to back having traded at 12/1 this morning. Andrew McNamara gave him a well judged ride as he settled in mid-division and made ground up leaving the back straight. Third Opinion and Deano battled at the head of affairs and the later gained the advantage four out when the front-runner blundered.
He was chased down going to the last by Marshim, however, who stayed on well in the closing stages for a convincing four-and-a-half length success.
"He's a real, genuine little horse and the race cut up for him today. We wouldn't be here only for the dry recent spell and we're delighted he won," said Power
"It's a wicked statement to make for a 13 year old, but we'll see what the handicapper does with him now and he could mix it between hurdles and fences during the summer."
He added that the winning owner Peter Wall is from Ballybunion.
(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)
