Plains Indian lands awkwardly, from The Friday Man© Photo Healy Racing
Andy Slattery bagged his biggest jumps success today as the trainer's Plains Indian (5/1) landed Limerick's Listed Dunraven Arms Hotel Novice Hurdle, completing a double for jockey Danny Mullins.
The son of Shantou raced prominently throughout and while hanging right in the home straight, kept going for a length and a half win over The Friday Man
Slattery, who trained Faugheen to win on his point-to-point debut, reported “I've had a couple of Group winners on the flat but that's my first Listed winner over jumps.
“He has been in training all year, has improved and improved. We ran him in a flat maiden at Roscommon when he was off the bridle all the way but I think the race is after improving him.
“Even though his dam is a half-sister to Death Duty I was worried about his stamina because he had been free in the past. I left riding instructions up to Danny and he said there was a good enough pace and he settled well.
“He was off for two years but is back now. I was planning to go for a big handicap at Leopardstown but that's probably gone now.
He added “the owners (Eithne Thompson) have that breed since Shannon Spray and all the breed come from her. It is great for them as they are locals from Athlacca.”
High class in the 1980s for trainer Austin Leahy, Shannon Spray has a Grade 2 hurdle run in her honour at today's racecourse every March.
