Jim Dreaper was the headline maker at Tramore yesterday afternoon, saddling a near 47/1 double, initiated in the day's most valuable event with Caimin's Caper.
This novice hurdle was expected to fall to 1/2 favourite, Piercing Sun, and indeed the script appeared to be going to plan for the 'jolly' when he took over the running two out.
However, Caimin's Caper, who had made the running, forged his way back into the lead early on the run in under Barry Geraghty and showed much the greater reserves of stamina to triumph by a length.
Dreaper commented in the aftermath 'it wouldn't be the highest level of competition but he is improving and Barry said that he should continue to do so.'
The following contest, the lady riders handicap hurdle, saw Dreaper's brace completed. Here nicely supported Ask The Umpire (14/1 into 10/1), assumed the front-running role from six out under Daisy Duggan and proceeded to make the rest.
Partnering her second winner, Duggan had to work hard to keep her mount up to his job on the run in, after being a long way clear on the final circuit, holding on for victory by half a length.
Verrocchio, well-backed favourite in the opener, justified the confidence in good style, staying on well to go clear on the run in for a convincing six length win under Ruby Walsh.
Successful handler, Willie Mullins described his winner as slow to come to hand, whilst he mentioned Ascot next weekend, weather permitting as the plan for Florida Pearl.
Nine-year-old, Mason's Arch, without a win in a twenty four race career, finally got off the mark after some decent efforts lately to credit Tipperary handler, Stanley Ryan with a success.
Willie Slattery's mount battled really well on the uphill run out of the dip to beat off fellow 4/1 joint favourite, Chukchi Country who had arrived on the scene with a promising challenge.
The rest of the card belonged to Wexford trained-horses as they captured the final three races of the day.
Stonebridge Chance, had a piece of serious point-to-point form from last autumn, falling at the last when looking likely to beat a promising Padge Berry inmate in an open event at Wexford. Indeed he had shown up really well in a better contest at Gowran last week and Pat Day's nine-year-old benefited from a drop in class to take the beginners chase under Philip Carberry.
Always clear of the field, leading or disputing, the 6/1 shot took command away from the penultimate fence and raced away for quite an impressive twenty length win.
Leonard Whitmore took the other chase on the programme, when his top-weight Redlyn put up a brave display to get the better of a great tussle with gambled-on, Verchoyles Lad (20/1 into 14/1).
A winner at the track at the last meeting in easy fashion, the 3/1 favourite was this time very tired in the latter stages but showed commendable courage to achieve the win under promising claiming pilot Paddy Flood. Whitmore made the point that his horse's fluent jumping is a big asset as is his liking for the undulating course.
Racing concluded when Colin Motherway teamed up with his boss Denis Murphy, bringing through Rosadare with a daring challenge along the rails, to beat favourite Cafaygusulla by two lengths.
