Dorkas is about to fall as Tomcoole Lad (16 gives chase)© Photo Healy Racing
Teenager Tomcoole Lad was the fortunate winner of the Tom Murphy Car Sales Handicap Chase at Tramore today as he claimed a second career win and his first for new trainer Dick Donohue.
The 13 year old gelding looked booked for second place under jockey Brian Hayes approaching the final fence but leader Dorkas fell at that final obstacle, leaving Tomcoole Lad to hold on for a neck win over Naughty Molly
The years 2009 to mid-2015 proved difficult for Tomcoole Lad who lost 37 races, including 18 point to points, in the period but finally gained his maiden win, aged 11, at Galway in October 2015 and today was doubling his winning tally.
Donohue later revealed “Mark Clifford, who works with me, deserves a lot of the credit as he was half-retired a few months ago but Mark had a chat with the owner (Donal Doyle from Wexford) and he sent him down to me.
Mark fancied him strongly today and while I only have him (Tomcoole Lad) two or three months, he ran well at Sligo and again ran well at Limerick so it's not really a surprise he won.”
He added “he had placed form around here in the past and was down the bottom of the handicap now, jumped like a buck and Brian gave him a great ride in fairness.
“He was probably a bit lucky but you'd never know, and you need a bit of luck. He will go for another one of those races now, and it's great to get a result with him today."
Quotes from Donal Murphy
