Castlegrace Paddy and Davy Russell© Photo Healy Racing
After finishing no worse than fourth in a few outings to date it all came together in style for Castlegrace Paddy (well-backed 6/4 favourite) in the Best Of Luck To The Irish At Cheltenham Maiden Hurdle at Gowran.
The Pat Fahy-trained and Davy Russell-ridden Flemensfirth gelding bounded away from his rivals from the second last flight.
He popped the last in lovely fashion before easing home to defeat Sizinguptheamazon and Drumconnor Lad by nine lengths and four and three parts of a length.
"Delighted with that," was Fahy's reaction to the win of the Clipper Logistics Group-owned six-year-old.
The local handler added: "He wasn't right in Limerick and we discovered after scoping him that he had an allergy. He's going to be a nice chaser.
"We won't rush him, and Davy said to give him plenty of time before his next run. We'll see what is in Fairyhouse.
"He's won on proper winter ground there. I'm delighted for Steve Parkin (owner), and he'll go chasing next season."
N.T. Prendergast, rider of Baltray Boy trained by P.Meany, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount did not handle the ground and pulled up.
P.T. Enright, rider of Broadway Babe trained by Robert Tyner, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was pulled up having gone lame in running.
The Stewards fined Adrian Paul Keatley, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Drumconnor Lad, in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.
(AM & EM)
