The Gatechecker follows-up on Listowel success

The Gatechecker followed-up on his win at Listowel last month, as he took the David Fitzgerald Memorial Handicap Hurdle under Mark Walsh for Michael Hourigan.

Rated 128 over fences, compared to his hurdles mark of 111, the son of Classic Cliche appeared 'well-in' this afternoon, and was sent off a 9/2 chance (touched 11/2 on-course).

Settled in rear, the eight-year-old victor improved through the field from four out, and came with his challenge approaching the second last.

He got to the front before the final flight, and kept on well under pressure from there to prevail by a length. Offshore Oscar (11/2) finished second under Jonathan Moore for Eric McNamara, while Ask Nile who was backed from 11s to 7s on-course, was another four and three parts of a length back in third.

Hourigan said afterwards: "He is not an easy horse but he was sweet today and Mark (Walsh) said he was a great ride today when he threw the reins at him. He said when he got upsides, he jumped into the bridle.

"He just gets fired up and then doesn't know what to do. He gets so revved up he doesn't want to go anywhere.

"We'll try and find another three miles handicap hurdle next and with him, you're better off in a worse race with a better jockey.

"Pauline a French girl who works for me, really gets on well with him. He hasn't stopped at the bottom of the gallop since she started riding him; she throws the reins at him and is kind to him."

STEWARDS REPORT

Liam P Cusack, trainer of Platinum Empress, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his charge never travelled and was lame post race.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes