One Fine Morning made his racecourse bow around this time last year but it has been all downhill for him since a Galway maiden hurdle win last October. Some kept the faith though (10s into 9s) and they were rewarded as the chestnut son of Generous, still a mere five-year-old (the youngest horse in the line-up) landed the Malton.com Handicap Chase in good style under Mark Walsh at Killarney.
One Fine Morning got to the front before the last and he went on to comfortably beat Adrianeo This result meant that the Jackpot wasn't won and a pool of €31,551 is carried over to tomorrow.
Ronnie O'Leary trains the well-bred One Fine Morning (from the family of Hell's Bay, Flagship Uberalles and Viking Flagship) for J P McManus and he said: "It's nice to have a winner – especially for that man.
"He's a real good looking horse but he has been a bit disappointing. He likes good ground and that seems to be the key to him.
"I told Mark to be positive on him and he gave him a great ride."
The Stewards enquired into the apparent improvement in form of One Fine Morning (GB), trained by Mr Ronald O’Leary, winner compared with the horse’s previous few runs.
Evidence was heard from the trainer concerned and from Mr Andrew Shaw, Turf Club National Hunt Handicapper who evaluated the apparent improvement in form for the Stewards.
Mr O’Leary stated that 2 runs ago at Wexford, the saddle slipped on his charge and was pulled up, and this was reported to the Stewards on the day. He thought that his charge had a chance that day, and so again expected a good run next time out at Roscommon. On this occasion his charge was in with a chance turning for home, but didn’t seem to get home that day – he turned into the straight in 5th or 6th but faded to be beaten over 30 lengths.
Being very disappointed with the run, he scoped his horse but nothing showed up. Today, he felt it was his horse’s last chance to show some improvement, and so he instructed his rider to race prominent to keep him interested and he jumped and travelled well on the fast ground. These tactics seemed to work today on fast ground that he has shown a preference for in the past and may have brought about any apparent improvement. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanations offered.
