Televised Thurles begins with hurdle win for Politesse

Dundalk races hit a bum note with yesterday's under investigation Claimer and as racing continues under the microscope, Thurles made a rare appearance centre-stage today with the opening race being won by the Lorna Fowler trained Politesse

Televised Thurles' opening Adare Manor-sponsored maiden hurdle was due to begin proceedings at 1.40pm but the race was delayed 10 minutes as an administrative error necessitated a last-minute change to the weights.

Due to the error, morning newspapers had horses numbered not in the usual descending order and while some confusion followed, horses did eventually carry their correct weights, as published on websites and newspapers.

In the actual race, Politesse, under Conor Orr, went to the front with half a mile to race and in the end held on to follow up last month's course bumper win when beating 5/6 favourite Fakiera by two and three parts of a length.

Following the race trainer Fowler stated “I'm absolutely delighted. She came out of her bumper no problem and to be honest it didn't take very much out of her.

“She's done a lot of schooling, I didn't know if inexperience would tell today but I think what she's shown today is that she is very talented.

“I'm delighted to have gotten her out today. We could have kept her for bumpers but, especially when you see what is going on in the world, sometimes it better just to get on with it.

“She's over hurdles now, she's won, and she has her novice status until the Hatton's Grace meeting.

“I always take stock about what our next plan is but that will have brought her on a ton anyway and it's what she needed.

“I'm delighted for the owners, delighted for everybody and delighted racing has gone ahead.

“Conor has ridden her a lot at home, knows her well, and I think it has to help when they know a horse and know the stride on them. You have to use that stride with her.

“She's clever and at home she always looks at what's she's doing. It was her first time jumping hurdles in a crowd, in a race, and she is smart enough that she would have got it as she went along. That will bring her on so much.

“She's that kind of filly and everything she's done she's come on and on. She's bright, takes it in and moves to the next step.

“I'm very very lucky to have her and I know that.

“On everything she's shown us so far I think we can be a little bit ambitious with her.

“Ground wise that was lovely for her, on the easier side of soft.

“If God willing racing racing continues we'd definitely give her something else this year. IF it doesn't aren't we lucky we know we have a proper filly on our hands.”

Quotes from Gary Carson