Family success for O'Dwyers with Gerhard in opener

Charlie O'Dwyer partnered his first winner over jumps when teaming up with his father Conor to score on Uncle Gerhard in the opening Langtons Kilkenny Handicap Hurdle at Gowran Park.

The 10/1 shot was held up in the two-miler and still had plenty to do jumping the second last flight.

Dominic Jones' Jeremy gelding started to motor going to the final flight and got a fine leap at the last.

He soon claimed Saga Aravis before holding the late challenge of The Toothpicker by a length.

It was only the seven-year-old's second outing in handicap company and his sixth career start.

O’Dwyer senior said:- “Charlie was very cool and gave him a super ride. I thought the ground might be a little too soft. He didn’t get home at Down Royal but that was 2m1f and he’s a real two miler.

“I honestly didn’t think he was really ready for today. We gave him a little break after Down Royal and we won’t rush him.

“He’ll jump a fence and it’s great for the owner who is with me a long time. He was a great friend of John Mulhern so it’s a super day to have a winner for him.

“He’s there for the summer between hurdles and fences. It’s great to have Charlie on him.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)