Tempo Mac and Luke Dempsey (right) and Our Dougal © Photo Healy Racing
The Gordon Elliott trained Tempo Mac made a winning debut over fences at Tramore today, benefitting from the second last fence blunder from head runner-up Our Dougal in the opening Noel Cummins Bookmaker Beginners Chase.
Ridden by Luke Dempsey, the son of Antonius Pius arrived with his challenge at the penultimate obstacle where Our Dougal made a bad mistake. As a result Tempo Mac had more momentum approaching the final fence and while both jumped that fence well, Dempsey kept his mount going for a head win.
Elliott later stated “he didn't jump great early and can be the same over hurdles but all credit has to go to Luke, who gave him a good ride; he got him popping away, and thankfully he jumped the last two when he needed too - I wouldn't like to be riding him anyway!
"He will probably travel, and go for a novice chase somewhere. He will probably go back on the flat at some stage, if we can find the right race for him. He is still well enough handicapped on the flat."
By Tom Weekes, quotes from Donal Murphy
