Society collars Rock in the shadow of the post 20/1 shot Friendly Society for his trainer Michael Hourigan with Paul Moloney aboard just got up in the shadow of the post to beat Shane Rock (7/2 )by a nose in a thrilling finish to the Emmet Leahy Millstream Memorial Beginners Chase. Having beat subsequent Grade 2 Hurdle winner Back In Focus in a point-to-point at Dromahane in November of last year, it took the winning son of Moscow Society five goes on the track before he got his head in front in a maiden hurdle in May of this year over the course. The 6yo gelding has since run nine times and had shown very little until today's success. Waited with towards the rear for much of the race he improved to chase the leaders three fences from home. He moved into third before the second last and stayed on well from after the final fence to to catch the tying up runner-up on line. Stable mate to the winner, Billytheblacksmith finished nine lengths back in third at 33/1 while the 4/5 favourite Definite Class fell two out when struggling after jumping poorly under Paul Carberry. Winning trainer Michael Hourigan said afterwards: "I'm only back from Leopardstown and I only heard the commentary on the way down. "He probably wants better ground and he can't really get a big mark for that win. "He has been disappointing and was pulling himself up in races but like a lot of my horses he was probably sick."
