Off The Mark lives up to his name

Off The Mark owned by J P McManus and bred by his wife Noreen, was well-supported to make a winning debut in the bumper at Leopardstown and duly justified the confidence with a stylish victory.

Available at 9/2 in the morning and backed on track from 100/30 into 9/4, the High Chaparral gelding tracked 8/11 favourite Aminabad into the straight.

Ridden by Padraig Roche for his father Christy, the newcomer quickened up nicely inside the final furlong to beat Never Never by a length and three quarters. Rockingham Bay was a short-head away in third, with Aminabad finding no extra in fourth.

Christy Roche said, “I trained the dam (Adarma). I was a bit concerned with the way mine have been running. We’ve been scoping them and finding nothing and the bloods and everything are good.

“I made an effort about three times today to take him out but I didn’t. Padraig was never far away from me in case I did! He won and that’s the main thing.

“I’d say it will be a jumping career now, and he’s a good bit of schooling done already. I’m delighted as JP has sent me a bunch of four-year-olds and hopefully that’s a good sign for the rest of them.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson