Rathnaleen Tou justifies strong support

Rathnaleen Tou bounced back to form on her first start for Athea trainer Eoin McCarthy to take division two of the Kilmallock Handicap Hurdle at Limerick.

The daughter of Shantou had gained her only previous success for Harry Kelly at Tramore nearly two years ago but was well-supported here after a winter break of over six months.

The seven-year-old was backed at all rates from 12/1 down this morning and was sent off the 3/1 favourite against 15 rivals.

Kevin Brouder elected to make all on the gamble and she kept on really well from the last to beat first reserve Courting Vickie by four and a quarter lengths. Galon De Vauzelle was a length and a half further back in third with Highstreetfashion completing the places in fourth.

McCarthy said, “She’s a lovely straight forward mare.

“Kevin is riding real well and he comes in to ride work twice a week. He’s a really good rider.

“She had done some lovely bits of work with horses that we like so we thought off a mark of 80 she was well-in.

“I was a bit worried about the rain as her form is on better ground. She’d worked well on grass with a dig in it about a month ago so I wasn’t overly concerned about it. It’s far from heavy winter ground.”