A Wave Of The Sea© Photo Healy Racing
A Wave Of The Sea won the Grade B handicap chase on the first day of the Dublin Racing Festival for the second year in a row.
The son of Born To Sea delivered his challenge in unison with Grange Walk turning for home. Mt Leinster the 2/1 favourite, dropped off the pair before the last. The leaders were locked together jumping the final fence and it was A Wave Of The Sea who began to get the better of the argument upon touching down.
He kept finding and gradually increased the margin over Grange Walk to pass the post a length and a half to the good at 9/2. Grange Walk had his backers at 15/2 and was a length and three quarters in front of third-placed Batcio (11/1).
"He jumped savage today, we put the blinkers on, and Shane (Fitzgerald) gave him a great ride,” said Joseph O'Brien.
“I'm delighted to get a winner here this weekend, I thought we might struggle so it's great to get one.
“He's not especially well handicapped but he's a good tough horse and he turns up and runs his race.
“What he did today that maybe he hasn't done previously is jump great. He has a mistake in him but he jumped fantastic today and the blinkers probably helped him.
“He's a very solid horse, from the time he was a four-year-old and the whole way through.
“We'll to speak to JP and Frank but he might be one that could win a good pot at home while some other people are gone over (to Cheltenham). We'll see what they want to do.”
Fitzgerald added: "He never missed a beat the whole way, his jumping was just taking him everywhere. Turning in I was absolutely cantering and I knew he was going to pull out and find plenty.
"When I did ask him, I got a flier at the last and he toughed it out the whole way to the line.
"He won this race last year and he had a very good run in the Munster National - he wasn't beaten far, only a couple of lengths (into second). I know he fell here the last day in the Paddy Power but I wasn't worried about that. He jumped superb.
"I just want to say a massive thanks to Joseph (O'Brien) and Mr McManus for having the faith in me, to give the opportunities to me. They have been great to me throughout my career since I turned pro. Another big thanks to Gary Cribbin (agent) as well."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
