McDermott excels on tough Novarov

Sean McDermott was seen to great effect when partnering the heavily-backed Novarov to a popular success in the UCC SU Handicap Hurdle.

The Co. Kerry rider was hard at work from early in the straight, and the 11/4 favourite (from 11/2) really started to respond from off the pace when switched to the far rail before the final flight.

The six-year-old gelding picked up well on the run-in to collar top-weight Daring Article (12/1), who lost some momentum when stumbling slightly on landing over the last.

A length and a quarter separated the pair at the line, with the same distance back to Sheer Genius (8/1) in third. Tell Dawstown (14/1) completed the placings.

Winning trainer John O’Shea said, “Sean gave him a savage ride. He can be tricky in that he hits flat spots in his races but he’s got endless stamina.

“He came up against a well-handicapped horse last time (Up For The Match at Gowran). He goes on most ground but wants a trip.

“He won on the Flat in Germany but is as slow as a boat. There seems to be some value out there at the moment in buying horses.”

O’Shea nominated a two and three quarter mile handicap at Fairyhouse and a three-miler at Punchestown as possible targets next month.

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)