Consecutive wins and Pertemps plans for McNamaras

Falco Blitz (3/1) was an apt local winner for Cheltenham-aspiring connections of Limerick's Good Luck To All Irish Runners At Cheltenham Veterans Chase today, scoring for trainer Eric McNamara and jockey son Conor McNamara.

Successful at Thurles in January, ten-year-old Falco Blitz followed-up with a 6.5 lengths defeat of Sir Bob to complete consecutive wins for his owner Shane Carmody.

McNamara junior later quipped “Dad is gone to Lanzarote for the week of Cheltenham — he told me he has gone sunning himself but unless he gets it through the bar window, he'll struggle!”

“Alpesh Amin and Noble Birth need one horse and two horses (respectively) to come out to get a run in the Pertemps Final next Thursday. You'd imagine in a normal week they'd get in, but if they get in this year they'll only scrape in. They're in good form and coming forward well.”

Regarding his role as assistant to his father, he added “we get on well and have a fraction nicer type of horse this year than in previous years. We're looking across the yard now for next year, as one good season isn't good enough unfortunately.

“These veterans' races are a great idea and it is lovely for the likes of Falco Blitz to keep his confidence up and was lucky it all fell right for him the last day in Thurles.

“He was a fraction speedier than a few of the others today and we got a lovely split when Jordan (Gainford, on Royal Thief came off the bridle. The fact I saved a fraction more was the reason I came home so well.”