George returns to the track in style

First reserve, Fort George returned to the racecourse in style as he ran out an easy winner of the Listowel Celtic AFC Hunters Chase under Paul Power for Henry De Bromhead.

The ten-year-old gelding was last seen on the racecourse in Cheltenham in November of 2011 and he only returned to action the follow November, finishing second in a point-to-point at Ballinaboola behind Viking Splash.

He finished second, third and second and his next three outings ‘between the flags’ but back on the racecourse today, he went clear before the straight and went on from there to record an easy twelve length success.

I’llbetellingyoualie finished second at 6/1 under Pat Collins for Terence O’Brien while She’s Got Grit was a further eight and a half lengths back in third under Richie Harding also for Terence O’Brien at 13/2.

Family Official was sent off the 3/1 favourite (13/2 this morning) under Con McSweeney for Mary Twohig but he disappointingly pulled up

Henry De Bromhead said afterwards: "His point-to-point form was bad and that was the worry coming here today.

"Bar his first point-to-point all his runs came on soft ground. He has to have good ground and the bigger fences were in his favour today.

"We were keeping him for Cheltenham but the ground came up too soft and the he then didn’t qualify for Aintree.

"It wasn’t the strongest of races and I’ll speak to Ann & Alan (winning owners) to see whether or not we will sell him.

"We could keep him for hunter chases but it will depend on what handicap mark he will get."

After the race it emerged that Mikey Fogarty fractured a rib when unseated at the second from Nautical Storm

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes