The Brimming Water springs an 80/1 surprise

The Brimming Water was an 80/1 winner of division one of the two and a half mile maiden hurdle on Fairyhouse's card, but he certainly didn't go unbacked.

The six-year-old gelding travelled onto the heels of the leaders after three out and made his move after the next flight.

He improved to third at the last and was delivered between horses by Conor McNamara to storm into the lead in the final 150 yards.

He hit the line a length and a quarter to the good to the joy of his backers who availed of 150/1, 125/1 and 100/1. Gaulois (easy to back at 3/1 from 9/4) and Pepper 'N Salt (5/1) finished second and third respectively.

Trainer Eric McNamara said: “That was a pleasant surprise. Conor thought it rode an ordinary enough race.

“This horse showed us quite a bit a while back and he seemed to lose his way. His last two pieces of work he seemed to come back to himself.

“Hopefully he might go on from this and, if the handicapper is not too hard on him, we might get another day out of him somewhere along the line.

“He’s a horse that will jump a fence as well and I think he’ll be better on better ground. He’ll definitely run away through the summer and hopefully pick up a race or two.”

The Brimming Water was beaten over 50 lengths in a bumper here and a maiden hurdle at Thurles, and in between was pulled up in a maiden hurdle in Limerick.

He is a full brother to West Cork Wildway who has won two point-to-points, a bumper and a couple of hurdle races for Paul O'Flynn.

The Stewards requested a report from E. McNamara, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of The Brimming Water, placed first, as compared with its recent form. The trainer reported that this horse pulled up due to the very testing going at Limerick and seemed to struggle to lie up over two miles at Thurles last time. He also felt his horse won an ordinary race today. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation offered.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee