Sorceror overcomes layoff to take the last

The last race of 2011 at Ballinrobe Racecourse, the Come Racing in Ballinrobe 2012 Beginners Chase, went to the 11/4 favourite Sorceror for his trainer Arthur Moore with Davy Russell aboard.

The 7yo son of Sleeping Car had been off the track for nearly a year before today. He was last seen at Naas in October of 2010 when finishing just three lengths fourth to Kakagh.

On what was his seventh start over fences today he finally got off the mark racing in behind the leaders early on before moving into third before the second last.

He then challenged in second from before the last and soon led. He was driven out from there and kept on to score by two and three parts of a length despite holding his head very high on the run-in. Celtic Wish finished back in second at 10/1 while the front running Easily Pleased kept on to take third a further eight lengths back at 14/1.

Winning trainer Arthur Moore said afterwards: "He broke his pelvis last Christmas and was held up. He was standing in his box for three months. The team at Gigginstown done an excellent job in restoring him to full health.

"He was running in high class races last year and will probably go for a winners of one next.

"He doesn’t like being in front but hopefully that win will give him confidence.”