Staker Wallace and 'Bon' O'Neill© Photo Healy Racing
Fourth in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham in March Staker Wallace was very smooth in justifying odds of 4/7 in the Earl of Harrington Memorial Maiden Hunters Chase at Limerick.
Third in this event last year Super Citizen finished second today, but he or the rest could never really get Staker Wallace off the bridle as four time champion point-to-point rider ‘Bon’ O’Neill made his first acquaintance with the King’s Theatre gelding a winning one.
Twice a point-to-point scorer and out of action at one stage for 1078 days, Enda Bolger’s victor was here attaining a first win on the racetrack.
The patience of owner J P McManus has been rewarded and it was no surprise to hear Bolger say: “He'll come on from that as well and is a big gross horse and took a lot of time; that's one thing the man that owns him drills into us - take your time with them.”
As for going forward on the back of this length and three parts win the local handler added: “We'll follow the hunter chases around with him but they are very hot and if I have to stay away from the better horses, at the back of my head I think he could win a Ladies Cup at Punchestown - he has been jumping banks since he was four.
"That was a nice race to slot him in and get him going."
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Fanamix (FR), trained by Denis Paul Murphy, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
Mr J.J. Codd, rider of Fanamix (FR) trained by Denis Paul Murphy, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount did not handle todays going.
(TW & EM)
