Division One of the jogforjockey.ie Handicap Hurdle went to the oldest horse in the field, as the eleven year old Banna Man showed that age is just a number, as he came home an easy five and a half length winner.
Sent off the 5/2 favourite, the winner was held up early on and made his ground from four out. He took up the running two out and went clear approaching the last. He stayed on well from there to record an easy victory. Sister Steve ran well in her first start in handicap company to finish second at 12/1 for Pat Martin while Koh Samui was a further eight lengths back in third at 10/3.
This was the versatile Banna Man's eighth career victory have won a point-to-point at Boulta way back in '05, a maiden hurdle, a maiden on the flat, a handicap on the flat, a novice chase and two handicap chases.
Winning rider Eddie O'Connell’s claim is down to just three after riding the son of Zaffaran to victory.
Speaking on the phone winning trainer Thomond O’Mara said afterwards: "The handicapper shouldn't crucify him for that.
"He will probably go to Killarney next week, before going back to Galway to run in the race he won last year (the Connacht Tribune Handicap Chase, the feature race on the Sunday of the Festival)".
