First reserve wins handicap chase

The Denis Cullen trained first reserve Old Supporter defied a blunder before eventually making all to win the Tom Murphy (Mercedes-Benz) Car Sales Handicap Chase at Tramore today, scoring under Shane Shortall.

The partnership made a bad mistake at the fourth last fence but in the end stayed on gamely from two out to hold off the challenge of Island Peak by half a length.

Afterwards Cullen stated "we're delighted with him and he did it really well. He ran a lovely race in Roscommon the last day, he just got a bit tired two out and that run brought him on.

"In fairness I've only had the horse a few weeks. Louis (owner) and Matt Murphy have done most of the work with him and Matt has been telling me what I should be doing with him and keeping him right; I can't take much of the credit now, it's all down to the boys.

"I rode for Louis years ago in point-to-point's and I'm delighted to get a winner for him.

"He's in at Killarney next week and we'll see how he comes out of this."

He added "I got the call last night to say that there was one (Midnight Molly) coming out so I rang Louis to make plans about getting down here."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Donal Murphy