Dungarvan apprentice Tom Queally will always have fond memories of yesterday' meeting at Clonmel, for the 15-year-old rider notched his first success, on Larifaari, in the Nenagh Handicap.
Not ignored in the betting ring, the former Michael Grassick inmate, now under the care of Tramore trainer John Roche, weaved his way through the field under a confident ride from the teenager before sweeping past River Hopper inside the final furlong for a two-length victory.
'I asked former rider Gerry Hogan to find me a horse for a syndicate of owners and he ended up getting this fellow from Michael Grassick. He deserves a lot of credit and this horse may run again at Listowel on Saturday,' said Paul Roche, son of the winning trainer.
All eyes were on Aidan O'Brien's first reserve Kilcash Castle in the Templemore Maiden, but for punters who wagered heavily on Sue Magnier's gelding it was not to be, for he could finish only third behind Willie Bourke's Scary Spice and Emmett Stack.
'She did it well, better than I thought on that good ground. I'd like to find a good amateur handicap on the flat for her next and then maybe a decent race over hurdles,' said Bourke afterwards.
Barry Geraghty brought his seasonal score to 72, 16 winners clear of nearest pursuer Conor O'Dwyer in the championship race, when scoring aboard Lord Grey in the Cashel Handicap Hurdle. 'We've been waiting for good ground since Christmas but it's worked out well,' said Curragh trainer Dermot Kelly after his welcome change of luck. Jim Bolger opened his seasonal account with five-length scorer Traditional (Timmy Houlihan) in the two-mile handicap; while Sean Connors, despite his saddle slipping back after the third last, battled on well for Philip Carberry after a mistake at the final fence to defeat Saint-Declan in the beginners' chase.
