Dunroe Boy lead on the run-in before being caught on the line by Preswell Lad© Photo Healy Racing
Having his first start for Michael Butler, Preswell Lad just got up on the line to beat Dunroe Boy in the last at Tramore, Tom Carroll Memorial Handicap Steeplechase, providing his jockey Mikey Butler with a double on the card.
The 10yo son of Presenting was previously trained by Michael Fitzgerald and he won twice for him, including a success over the course in April 2009.
Running for the nineteenth time since his last victory he was sent off at 8/1 for the 2m 5f contest.
He improved from before the third last and was third two out. He ran on well along the rail from before the last and he just got up on the line to score by a short head.
The John Carr trained Dunroe Boy had to settle for second under Ian McCarthy at 10/1 while Hillman was a further two and a half lengths back in third at 14/1 for David Splaine and Donncha Duggan. Kilmurry Kid was sent off the 9/4 favourite for John Hayes and Mikey O’Connor but he finished well beaten.
Michael Butler said afterwards: "I don’t know too much about him as I only have him about a month. I was told he needed better ground and it’s a bit of a nice surprise. The winning syndicate (the Light Syndicate) are from Kilkenny."
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
