McManus' Marlbrook wins Nas Na Riogh

The J.P. McManus owned Marlbrook made all under Barry Geraghty to win the Grade B Woodlands 100 Club Nas Na Riogh Novice Handicap Chase at Naas, thus continuing the good recent run of trainer Colm Murphy.

Marlbrook has himself returned to form in recent times and having won at Fairyhouse in January, today made all under a keen hold for a comfortable six lengths win over Vicangelome

Trainer Murphy's winners have arrived like buses recently and having not registered a winner for five months, had three winners from just five runners since January 10.

The Champion Hurdle and Champion Chase winning trainer later commented “I'm delighted with that. Barry (Geraghty) let him free wheel over the first few before taking a pull past the stands. It's a nice pot and he deserved to win a big one somewhere.”

“I'm not sure where we'll go now but we'll see what Noel (O'Brien) does to him and see what Frank (Berry, J.P. McManus' racing manager) has in mind.

“It was very testing and he seems to handle conditions really well and is probably one of those horses that handle soft ground better than the rest of them.

“He was just a bit frustrating early on but seems to be getting the hang of things.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson