Montagne sheds his maiden tag in the Shamrock

Montagne D'argent got off the mark at a perfectly opportune time, as he landed the feature at Gowran this afternoon, the Grade B Holden Plant Rentals Shamrock Handicap Chase.

Trained by Harry Kelly, the son of Stowaway had been ultimately disappointing so far in his career, but ran well on his previous two starts, suggesting that a win was in the offing.

Sent off at 14/1 this afternoon, the seven-year-old gelding disputed the lead for much of the race and improved into an outright lead before three out.

Kept up to his work on the run-in by Sean O'Keeffe, the Eugene & Geraldine Conlon owned victor came home eight-and-a-half lengths to the good. Fan De Blues (8/1) filled the runner-up spot under Brian Hayes for Willie Mullins, while the well-backed Dunvegan (20s in early shows, returned 6/1) was another twelve lengths away in third. Dinny Lacey was sent off the 10/3 favourite and he disappointingly pulled up

O'Keeffe said afterwards: "He loves that ground. He'd a good run here a long time ago in a beginners and he loves this track. He ran well here the last day as well.

"He jumps like a buck and there is no nicer horse to ride over a fence. He travelled well and the light weight today helped him get home really strong.

"I was able to send him on turning in as I knew he'd stay going with the light weight. He just loves that ground and flies through it.

"I'm delighted for the connections as they have been a long time trying to win with this horse and it's great to win a big pot."

STEWARDS REPORTS

R.M. Power, rider of Dinny Lacey trained by J.Motherway, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled on the ground.

The Stewards interviewed D.E. Mullins, rider of Pont Aven concerning his use of the whip in the early stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that his mount normally jumps well but made two bad errors today through inattention, and that he used his whip for corrective purposes. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards accepted the explanation given and took no further action other than to remind D. E. Mullins of his responsibilities in this regard.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Dinny Lacey, trained by J.Motherway, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee