Olympic Man and Paul Townend© Photo Healy Racing
Despite a very sketchy round of jumping Olympic Man (evens) ultimately stylishly put his rivals to the sword in the Bar One Racing 'Guaranteed Multiples All Shops' Maiden Hurdle at Naas.
For the Galopin Des Champs team of the Turleys, Willie Mullins and Paul Townend, the Martaline gelding threw in a good leap at the last and after making all stretched away effortlessly on the run-in to account for Don Chalant by fifteen lengths.
Townend said afterwards:- “It showed that Willie is getting a good run at training him now when he could put in that performance while jumping (like that).
“The first day (he ran) it was just good to get him on the track but it was disappointing he didn't back it up the second day.
“He just felt a different horse now that he's getting a good run at him and he can train him, he makes a difference.
“He can jump, he has a load of it done. Anytime I wanted him to stand out he wanted to do his own thing. He went down and jumped the last well, we met it on a good stride and jumped that well.
“He might have more respect for a bigger festival. Once we can keep him right the engine is in there. Fair play to the owners for persevering with him as he hasn't been easy.
“I think he'll jump a fence and he might just have more respect for it. He feels like a horse that can jump.”
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Raceday Stewards that Shades Of Tara (GB) trained by P.A.Fahy was found to have blood at both nostrils post race.
(GC & EM)
