Fragile Sumos goes well fresh again

We haven't seen Sumos Novios much since he made a winning debut in a Punchestown point-to-point on heavy ground in February 2013. The big Flemensfirth gelding is good on his day though and he seemed to relish the testing conditions today to come home in front in the McCarthy Insurance Group Handicap Chase.

He began in The Listener colours of the Old Moss Syndicate, but the now nine-year-old these days is in the ownership of his trainer, Liam Burke.

Sumos Novios doubled in price for this two and a half mile test, from 5/1 out to 10/1, but on his first outing for nearly a year he defied the market weakness.

It was down to himself and the favourite, Mick The Jiver over the closing couple.

Burke's charge asserted on the run-in under Robbie Power to win by seven and a half lengths.

"It's a long time since I met ye people (the press) and hopefully it won't be as long again!," quipped Burke.

He then explained: "He's a hard horse to train; he's a big horse - 17.2hh, and is a big softie behind it all. His feet are his problem.

"First run out every time seems to be his best run and he wants that ground; I can't run him on anything else and he was ready to run six weeks ago but I just couldn't run him.

"I have him in the Leopardstown Chase but it will probably be too dry and too short for him. Maybe the Midlands National at Uttoxeter could be next but he only runs three times a year and that's his lot.

"His previous owner, Ray Humphreys, died, and his wife Susan left him to me because he has always been a problem. He has huge talent but unfortunately is fragile."

A.W. Short, rider of Tajweed trained by Luke Comer, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was pulled up having lost his action.

(TW & EM)