Tobac Brun scores for Doyle/O'Connell

Tabac Brun came out on top in a tight battle to win the Rooftop Racing Packages @ Gowran Park Maiden Hurdle at Gowran today for trainer Liz Doyle and jockey Brian O'Connell.

Jessica Harrington was chasing her seventh winner in two days with Lilly Of The Moor in the race and, at the final flight, Moscow Flyer's trainer appeared set for another winner when the mare moved past Tobac Brun.

However Tobac Brun battled gamely, under O'Connell, on the run-in to firstly see off the challenge of Lilly Of The Moor and then the late lunge of Grand Jesture for a nose win at 10/1,.

Afterwards Doyle stated “his experience stood to him and he jumped very well. He didn't like point-to-points and fell three times; maybe it came a year too soon for him but he then won his bumper first time out. It's probably also the first time he's had a bit of nice ground today as well.

“We'll go handicapping with him; he's only small so we'll stick him in a nice handicap off a low weight.”

By Thomas Weekes,quotes from Gary Carson