Trainwreck lands a gamble

Trainwreck landed a gamble in the Cashel Maiden Hurdle, scoring under Davy Russell for Henry De Bromhead and Gigginstown House Stud.

Successful in a point-to-point at Durrow in February of 2016, the son of Stowaway was fourth and second on his first two racecourse starts.

He was sixth to The Rory Story on his debut over flights at Galway last month, and he was available at 8/1 last night, opening on-course at 3s, before going off the 2/1 second favourite.

Settled behind the leaders by Russell, he improved to lead before the second last, and was pushed out on the run-in to score by three and a quarter lengths. Sympa Des Flos who was returned the 11/8 favourite (from 11/10), attempted to make all under Ruby Walsh for Willie Mullins, but he ultimately had to settle for second.

The front two went fifteen lengths clear of Port Rashid in third. Jody Townend was aboard this 50/1 chance for her father Timmy.

De Bromhead said afterwards: "He jumped well - I was disappointed with him at Galway but he is a big baby and is all the time learning.

"The winner of the first race Dawn Shadow was fifth at Galway and we were sixth so that is fairly telling, so this race probably wasn't as good as Galway but I think he has improved and learned a lot from the first day.

"We'll look for one of those rated novice hurdles now."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards fined S. Slevin, trainer, E350 for lodging a passport in respect of Johnnyonepunch in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.

R.A. Doyle, rider of Celebrity Status trained by Conor O'Dwyer, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount did not handle the ground.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes