Leap Dearg a significant winner for Brouder

Leap Dearg (7/1) gave Jockey Gavin Brouder his first-past-the-post victory in the Renvyle House Hotel Handicap Chase at Galway.

The young jockey had been on board Leap Dearg when the pair were promoted to first by the stewards at Clonmel in a rated novice hurdle in May.

In today's assignment, his mount had enough in the tank to see off a staying-on Bilbo Bagins (10/1) by a length and a quarter.

Brouder's brother Kevin was on third-placed Grey Mountain Mist (10/1) who was a neck further back.

Trainer James Nash said: "We have him a couple of years and bought him hoping he'd turn into a nice horse but he lost his way when he got higher in the ratings.

"We had given up on him and basically I kept him for the young lads in the yard to get going and to give them rides. We found that by going back hurdling he got a bit of confidence.

"I was always keeping an eye out for a chase that would suit him and it worked out great. He was awarded a race in Clonmel but today is also my wife Sarah's (daughter of Galway Race Committee Honorary Member Pauline Gavin) first actual winner. That was great to see today and the horse and jockey have now improved together."

Jockey Gavin Brouder said: "I'm 18, from Listowel and Kevin is my brother. I'm with James a year and he has been very good to me and has given me loads of chances. It's an unbelievable feeling and it was also my first ride over fences."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes