Owl Creek Bridge and Conor McNamara© Photo Healy Racing
Owl Creek Bridge avoided much mayhem in-running when landing a gamble in the dramatic Sporting Life Beginners Chase at Punchestown today, scoring for trainer Eric McNamara and his jockey son Conor McNamara.
Unruly outsider Padraig's Choice was withdrawn at the start, causing the race to be delayed six minutes and only seconds later, three horses exited the first fence.
Leader Jack Fiasco then survived being hampered by a loose horse at the fourth fence but wasn't so fortunate at the seventh where he, Castlegrange and Hell On Earth were all carried out by two loose horses.
Held-up Owl Creek Bridge was left in front from that seventh fence, making the rest of the running but did bypass a swan as he approached the final fence.
Own Creek Bridge, backed on the show from 18/1 to 7s, eventually scored a comfortable 12 lengths win over Favori Logique 0AAfterwards jockey Conor McNamara, a brother of last year's Epsom Derby winner Emmet McNamara, reported “there was plenty of drama going on the whole way, and he had to make his own running after nearly half the field were taken out at the one after the stands.
“He jumped electric and it’s good to get a beginners. He didn’t beat a whole pile but a win is a win.
“He is owned by Patrick Mullen and Brian Collins who are good supporters of my father.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
