Zekarya puts a roof back over his head

Zekarya is a good horse on his day, as was first flagged up when he sluiced up in a Bellharbour point-to-point over two years ago at this stage. Lively in the betting this morning, the grey, eventually a 9/1 chance, delivered in style in the Holden Plant Rentals Careys Cottage Cup Handicap Chase at Gowran.

Following the French-bred could be taxing on one's finances, but in fairness to the Denis Hogan trained and ridden eight-year-old he was looking a winner when coming down at the second last in a Limerick hurdle at Christmas.

Here the sweet travelling and jumping Zekarya, racing for Hogan's father Martin, headed Kennoway after the second last before going away after the final fence to comprehensively score by all of eleven lengths.

"He done it real well. You have to keep rowing away on that ground as they can stop very quick.

"Everyone had him down as a dour stayer but I think two and a half miles on that ground is more what he wants.

"It's great to get a win into him. He should have won at Limerick over Christmas.

"The roof lifted off his stable during the week and that win should help to pay for putting it back on," disclosed Hogan in the aftermath.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Bruff trained by M.F.Morris, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be coughing post race.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Viaduct Joey trained by Terence O'Brien, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

The Stewards requested a report from Denis Gerard Hogan, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Zekarya (FR), placed first, as compared with its recent form. The trainer reported that his charge disappointed on his last chase start, when making some ground from the rear, having been held up off the pace. He added that today's change in tactics by riding the horse more prominently, helped his charge return to form. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanations.

(AM & EM)