Park Ranger is led home by loose horses to win an incident packed opener© Photo Healy Racing
Jody McGarvey gave Park Ranger a strong drive to score in the colours of the sponsor in the opening Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Galway this afternoon.
The race complexion change dramatically at the final flight as Lost Book blundered away his jockey when looking set to collect.
11/4 favourite Lilly The Lioness had hit the front before the second last but gave way to Lost Book turning for home.
The market leader was left in front again at the last but was collared by the Christy Roche-trained Park Ranger on the run-in, who stayed on well in the closing stages to post a length-and-three-quarter winning margin.
The 12/1 shot had last run in early June at Punchestown when a decent sixth behind Desertmore Stream, on his return from a break.
“It's taken a while and he had a bit of luck on his side,” said JP McManus' racing manager Frank Berry afterwards.
“I didn't think Galway would be the place that he'd win as he has his own ideas about the game.”
McGarvey only returned last week having suffered a fractured collar-bone and was partnering his first winner since.
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
