Tristram Shandy was too strong for Special Tiara when it counted at Clonmel© Photo Healy Racing
Tristram Shandy has been a winner waiting to happen since a promising debut at Limerick back in April and he supplied his trainer Eric McNamara with a first success since July of last year. Under McNamara's son Emmet, he compensated the stable for the defeat of the well-backed favourite Sir Harry Cash half an hour earlier, by landing the Valley of Honey Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel.
The successful Wizard King gelding was light in the market but he arrived travelling well to tackle the well-punted front-running favourite Special Tiara (9/4 this morning into 6/4) in the straight. Tristram Shandy wasn't as good as Special Tiara over the final couple of flights but he found enough on the run-in to prevail by a length and a half.
McNamara said: "That was great – it was wanted. I'm delighted for Eithne (winning owner Eithne Fox) as she's been a great supporter of the yard down through the years.
"It's nice to win with this fella and we'll find a winners of one for him now."
Mrs Fox explained: "He's running in my husband's name as he bred him. I lost my husband, Bill, last year.
"I have a lovely full-brother to this horse at home."
The Stewards enquired into an incident between the final hurdle and the winning post on the first circuit involving Special Tiara (GB), ridden by P.T. Enright, placed second, Jack The Pirate ridden by B. Hayes, placed third, Ballyliffin Lad ridden by R.T. Dunne, placed fourth and Red Sparky ridden by A.P. Thornton, unplaced where it appeared Red Sparky ran short of room on the rails and checked.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.
Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that any interference was accidental and took no action.
Report to stewards - Jack The Pirate - SADDLE SLIPPED EARLY ON AND EVENTUALLY CORRECTED ITSELF. MOUNT RAN FREE AND HUNG IN RUNNING.
(DM & EM)
