Sphagnum (right) © Photo Healy Racing
Sphagnum (7/1) stretched clear on the run-in to land the Taylor Construction & Civil Works Handicap Hurdle and provide trainer Shane Broderick with his first winner since 2016.
The Urban Poet gelding tracked the leaders and made headway from two out before gaining a narrow lead running to the final flight. He saw his race out well to beat Zaccarela and 3/1 favourite Presenting Lad by eight lengths and a neck.
It was a first win for the five-year-old on his seventh start over hurdles.
Denis O’Regan said: “He had a couple of good runs in handicaps. He wants real good ground and it’s a bit cut up on the middle to inner, that’s why I kept him wide. He appreciated the nice surface out there. He was a little outpaced at times but his jumping kept him in it and he’ll jump a fence in time.
“He was coming back in trip so I was anxious to go forward at all costs. I was happy with how he responded when he came under pressure. They kind of stopped and once he came through them he kind of got confidence.”
“It’s good to ride a winner in these Snugsborough Benny colours and it’s great for (owner) Ray Loughnane. His two sons do a lot of the work with this horse along with Shane Broderick."
