American Money and Kieren Buckley © Photo Healy Racing
American Money produced a gutsy front-running performance to land the BetVictor Handicap Hurdle at Naas for training partnership Eddie and Patrick Harty.
Kieren Buckley bounced out in front on the Westerner gelding and the 9/1 shot had his rivals at work turning for home in the race, run over just shy of two miles.
A blunder two from home got the eventual winner off the bridle but he showed a good attitude to knuckle down, popping the last and going on to score by a length-and-a-half from Lazer Wolf
It was a third career success for American Money, who had scored over further here last month. He had been seventh on his most recent visit and was backed from as big as 22/1 this morning.
Eddie Harty said:- “Firstly we thought going further would help and I’ve wanted for three runs to do what he did there. He’s no gears but he’s not slow and I thought he could burn them off.
“There were only three or four with a chance turning in and he did it so fair play to him.
“Two and a half is probably his trip but he’s able to go quick enough for long enough to have a go at that.
“The ultimate plan has always been the Final of the Full Circle Series at Punchestown.
“He’ll probably run again before that. He’s a fun horse and there is a good syndicate of people including my wife involved.”
(Quotes by Alan Magee)
