Paddy goes in again for Grace

Go Paddy Go bridged a gap of over two years since his previous two wins when taking the Follow Naas On Facebook Handicap Hurdle in convincing fashion.

Owned, trained and bred by James Grace, the 10/1 chance certainly didn’t go unbacked having been as big as 20/1 this morning.

The ten-year-old gelding travelled well to lead after the penultimate flight, and stayed on really well on the run-in when sent about his business by Jack Kennedy. Ballyroe Rambler could only keep on at one pace three and a half lengths back in second, with Tangled Web another length and three quarters away in third.

Grace said, “I wouldn't say it was a surprise. We had been running all last year on goodish ground and he was handling that well. They said it was tacky today so I was a little worried but he stayed galloping all the way.

“We'll look for a similar handicap. I actually had him in a chase at Tramore but that win will rule him out of it now due to the conditions. We'll stick to hurdles with him as he's only handy.”

Kennedy said, “He was keen and never let the bit down the whole way. We went hard early on and he quickened off that.”

(GC & AM)