Donal Murphy
Family success for the Foley's with Talsara
Talsara and Pat Foley jump the last in front
© Photo Healy Racing
Talsara recorded her first win in the Panoramic Restaurant Handicap Hurdle, scoring under Pat Foley for his father Tom, and sister Adrienne (owner).
Beaten by just a nose on the level at Clonmel earlier this month, the daughter of Selkirk was sent off at 14/1 today on her handicap debut over flights.
Settled towards rear on the outer, she made progress into mid-division from the fifth. She took closer order from two out, and was sixth entering the straight.
The six-year-old winning bay got to the front before the last, and kept on well on the run-in to score by two and three parts of a length. Euro So Brave (25/1) ran on well to take second under Jody McGarvey for Willie Austin, while Ted Bach (6/1) was another length and three parts back in third with Davy Russell in the saddle for Ken Budds.
The well-backed John 'Shark' Hanlon trained Seaboard who was returned 6/1 from 33s last night, completed the placings a further half a length back in fourth under Rachael Blackmore. Wee Tiger was sent off the 5/1 favourite and he finished a disappointing eleventh under Andrew Lynch for Ray Hackett.
Tom Foley said afterwards: "Unfortunately we didn't get there in Clonmel but it's nice to get back."
"We thought she'd win a Flat race before she'd win a hurdle but we're quite happy to get there as it's getting harder now. There is probably a Flat race in her.
"The biggest problem is there's not a big selection of them there. Two miles two is a bit short as she wants two-and-a-half.
"She's a fierce relaxed filly early in play, I'd pass her myself the way she goes on early.
"It takes a while for her to get going. It wasn't anyones fault in Clonmel. The horse that he was tracked stopped too quick and left her in front. She's one that you don't want there for too long."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson