The opening Metal Man Novice Hurdle at Tramore today saw an unusual market move for apparent second string and eventual winner Slieveardagh providing trainer Edward O'Grady with a 1-2.
O'Grady's Diophas under stable jockey Andrew McNamara, was backed from 6/4 in the morning into 11/10 favouritism while Slieveardagh, under Tommy Treacy, was heavily backed from 3/1 into 15/8 second favourite.
Diophas looked to have the race in safe keeping when nearest pursuer Slieveardagh jumped out to the left at the second last flight, but Slieveardagh responded gamely on the run-in to eventually win by two and a half lengths.
Afterwards a somewhat surprised O'Grady reported “Andrew (McNamara) had the choice of rides and picked the wrong one – it was nice to win but Slieveardagh hung like a gate at Clonmel the last day and I thought Tramore might not suit him.”
“However he had the best form in the book, having finished second to Fionnegas at Clonmel. Andrew said the ground may have been too heavy for Diophas.”
