Kottayam wins Tramore finale for race sponsors

Kottayam overcame a 15-month absence to give the race sponsors a popular local success in the concluding Flynn Hotels(Ladies) Maiden at Tramore.

Trained by Willie Mullins for the Flynn & Gray Partnership, the gelding just held on in a tight finish from the slightly unlucky in running Molly Wedger

A Kilbeggan bumper winner last April, the winner had been off the track since finishing second at Tipperary the following month.

A big, strong galloping type, he may not have been suited to this tight track but had the natural ability to get away with it under jockey Jody Townend.

Winning rider Townend said; "It was tight and we got a bit of fright but we held on anyway thank God.

"I never sat on him at home but he won around Kilbeggan and that was a bit of a bonus coming here. He is a very big horse for the likes of Kilbeggan and Tramore but he handles them well enough in fairness to him. A more galloping track will suit him better."

"He was giving plenty of weight to the second so it was a nice performance.

"I lost the five-pound claim at Kilbeggan the other night so that was my first ride claiming three."

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy