Showman and Eamon Fitzgerald near win the Boyle Maiden Hurdle from Yeats Star© Photo Healy Racing
Having only run at Listowel on Saturday, Showman made a quick reappearance a successful one when running out a cosy winner of the opening Boyle Maiden Hurdle at Roscommon.
The Kingman gelding had caught the eye at the Harvest Festival over the weekend, staying on strongly from well off the pace to finish fourth on just his third start over flights.
While it is quite common to see handicappers run on successive days or relatively quickly, lightly raced maidens tend to have their races more spaced out.
The decision to return to the track so quickly was a brave one, which reaps rewards for trainer Peter Fahey.
Travelling strongly turning out of the back straight, the four-year-old moved up to challenge leader Yeats Star after the final flight, keeping on strongly to edge ahead close home.
“He had a nice run over the winter at Punchestown for Keith Donoghue and a lovely run the last day,” said Fahey.
“I suppose after his last run he had a good chance here in a non-winners race. It's great for Chris Blair, a new owner to the yard, and for Eamonn who has been lucky for us.
“He's a tough horse but he actually lost a bit of interest, his runs on the Flat he was showing no spark at all and the jumping has really helped him. He'll be a nice horse to tip away with.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
