Palamon (Sean Flanagan) leads from eventual 3rd home Dutch Gold (Donagh Meyler)© Photo Healy Racing
The three principals travelled well to the business end of the PADDY MAC Maiden Hurdle at Cork but it was Palamon that found the most for pressure to score for Paul Nolan and Sean Flanagan.
Whilst they may have impressed with their smooth travelling run styles, the jumping over the closing couple of flights wasn't as pleasing on the eye.
Palamon and second home Trustyourinstinct (11/10) were untidy with their hurdling late on. At the finish Palamon (2/1) had a length and three parts in hand over the favourite, with three and a quarter lengths back to Dutch Gold in third.
"He had a really good run in Naas on his first run back and ran in the Fred Winter (at Cheltenham) but it was a no-go as the ground was too slow and I was brought to a standstill, so pulled him up. It has obviously stood to him though as he hadn't a hard race on the day," reported Flanagan.
"He has a Flat pedigree and got his ground today - it is proper good to firm, and has jumped and battled well.
"He was untidy but didn't lose momentum and was quick jumping the last and showed a good attitude - like he always has done. We always thought a bit of him so it was great to get that job done."
At the request of the Raceday Stewards, B.W. Harvey, rider of Lynskey trained by Joseph Anthony Murray, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount did not stay todays trip.
At the request of the Raceday Stewards, P. Byrnes, rider of Rhythm And Tyne trained by C.Byrnes, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount jumped big early on.
(TW & EM)
