Mater Matuta clears the last under Jordan Gainford© Photo Healy Racing
With Jordan Gainford again in the saddle, Mater Matutu claimed the Tramore Tourism Handicap Chase for a second time.
Successful in 2022 and a runner-up twelve months ago, the Eamon Delaney-trained eight-year-old was last seen finishing down the field on her return to action at Roscommon earlier in the month.
Back over fences for the first time since October, the David Jordan-owned chestnut was sent off a 14/1 and tracked the leaders in the early stages.
She improved into a close second with just over a circuit to race and took over from the front-running Itsalonglongroad approaching the penultimate fence.
Soon sent a few lengths clear, the versatile daughter of Dawn Approach kept on well when ridden away from the last and was four-and-a-quarter lengths clear at the line.
The aforementioned Itsalonglongroad (25/1) filled the runner-up spot under Shane O'Callaghan, while the hat-trick seeking Cheerful Chap (11/8f) was a length-and-three-quarters back in third.
Alan Delany, son of the winning trainer, said: "She was second in this race last year and won it the year before, so she likes this race.
"We were still a couple of pounds out of the handicap but she really turned inside out the last week and we said we would take our chance.
"She likes fast ground and being in front. Jordan gets on really well with her. We were on the cold list so it's nice to get off it now. Hopefully it's onwards and upwards for the rest of the summer. We have a couple of young horses to run and a few for Bellewstown.
"We will keep her going now for the summer. She has won on the flat, over hurdles and over fences and she might do all three again this year.
"She has very sporting owners in David and Margaret Jordan and it's great for them."
