McCurtin joy after Love On Top's win John Joe Walsh and Tom Foley are profitable trainers to follow at Gowran and they supplied the first two home in the Gowran Park Racing Club Membership 2015 for #100 Mares Handicap Hurdle. In the colours of his brother Ambrose, Francis McCurtin got 8/1 shot Love On Top home by two and a half lengths from Foley's Dantes Firth. The sweet-travelling Good As Gold had to settle for third place in the end, half a length back. "It's great to ride a winner for my brother and for John Joe as well – he's a good man," commented McCurtin. He then explained: "She did it well, she's tough out. She stayed going, it's very heavy but she's tough as nails. "I was never really travelling but at the same time she was always just plugging away. She stayed well, she ran over three miles last week and I always knew she'd keep going. "They went a good gallop and they stayed going. "I had two winners as an amateur before turning professional and that's my third winner now. "Hopefully I can get a few more rides now and keep going. "I was based with John Joe but I'm kind of freelance at the moment. John Joe was very good to me while I was there so I'm glad to ride a winner for him. "I ride out for Mary Hallahan and for John Kiely a bit as well. I'm kept busy anyway. John Kiely is a great man to work for – he's very knowledgeable." (AM & EM)
