The appropriately-named Emotional Moment helped Tom Taaffe celebrate the birth of his first child when landing the Moira Handicap Hurdle at Down Royal yesterday.
Barry Geraghty's mount, sent off a well-supported 3/1 favourite, denied market rival Bentota Beach by a length, to the delight of his trainer and successful owners, the Watercork Syndicate. 'I thought he'd nearly win if reproducing the form of his Limerick victory,' said a beaming Taaffe, whose son Pat weighed in at 9lb 3oz.
Be My Belle was confidently ridden by Tommy Treacy to get the better of frustrating market leader Spirit Leader in the EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle. Her 1 1/2 length triumph came as a welcome boost to the jockey's uncle Sean, who was sending out his first winner since last August.
Glenn Tormey was another man happy to get back into the winner's enclosure aboard Dantes Reef, who held off Royal Tilande in the Duke Of York Maiden Hurdle.
The 29 year-old Dubliner was hitting the target for the first time since returning from a stint in England, during which time he counted the John Hughes Trophy at Aintree on Bells Life amongst his tally.
