L to r Spare Brakes (Philip Enright, winner), Breesy Mountain (eventual 5th) and Trans Wood (2nd)© Photo Healy Racing
Bang-in-form pair Robert Tyner and Philip Enright landed the Langton House Hotel Handicap Hurdle with Spare Brakes at Gowran.
Enright has fond memories of Thyestes Day at the County Kilkenny venue having landed the big one on Preists Leap in 2008 and 2009.
Favourite here, Breesy Mountain (6s into 9/2), still had a chance when losing his hind legs at the last, and the sweet-travelling Spare Brakes (8/1) went on to fend off Trans Wood (33/1 into 20/1) by three parts of a length.
It was the same distance then to the staying-on Cappuccino Man in third, whilst the aforementioned Breesy Mountain faded into fifth.
“We thought he had a chance and we were just worried if the ground was soft enough for him,” said Enright.
“The ground is lovely. It's plenty soft and has a lot of grass on it so it's taking a bit of getting. We're crying out for soft ground so it's good to get it.
“The last day in Cork I dropped him in, maybe a bit too far, and I took a chance today riding him a bit handier and thankfully it worked out.
“I got a beautiful run around on the rail, and got a lovely tow into the straight. He jumped the second last well, it was a battle from there to the line, and thankfully he kept going.
“He just does enough. From the back of the last it was a battle and I was happy to see the line coming.
“I'm with Robert now over ten years. He's one of the most loyal trainers you could work for and very easy going to ride for.
“He leaves things up to you and you can make the decision at the start whether you want to ride him handy or drop him in. We both have confidence in each other and that shows.”
C.D. Maxwell, rider of Do No Complain (FR) trained by Ian O'Connor, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled.
The Stewards requested a report from Robert Tyner, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Spare Brakes, placed first, as compared with its most recent form. Mary Tyner, Authorised Representative for the trainer, reported that Spare Brakes had disappointed on his previous run following a long absence off the track. She added that her charge appeared to come on from that run in what she felt was a lesser race and felt a combination of both, had helped to bring about the apparent improvement in form. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards noted the explanation offered.
(GC & EM)
