Golf Marin and Mark Walsh jump the last before Fairyhouse maiden win© Photo Healy Racing
Golf Marin continued an excellent couple of days for trainer Tony Martin and J.P. McManus when keeping on strongly to take the Ryan's Cleaning Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
Both trainer and owner, who were on the scoresheet in the Ladies National at this meeting on Saturday, combined for another success with the seven-year-old gelding.
A slightly frustrating horse who came into this contest as a 15-race maiden, he had shown glimpses of ability a number of times in the past but finally put it all together here. With a handicap mark of 109 he arguably had to improve to win this competitive maiden but proved up to the task.
The winner is a strong traveller who often found less than expected for pressure but there was no sign of him shirking the issue on this occasion as he stayed on powerfully under Mark Walsh.
Frank Berry said:- “He had been struggling in handicaps and Tony thought we'd bring him back for a maiden today, it might not have been the strongest of maidens, and give him a bit of confidence.
“They went a good gallop and Mark was patient on him. He finished out well and we're delighted with him.
“He'll mix it going forward. You wouldn't trust him every day but when he's on song he's not too bad.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
