Hairy O'Malley is driven out by Padraig Roche to see off Bosman Rule and Patrick Mullins© Photo Healy Racing
Hairy O'Malley got off the mark on his fourth attempt as he took the bumper at Punchestown this afternoon, the Goffs Invitational Sale (Pro-Am) Flat Race.
Trained by Christy Roche, and ridden by his son Padraig (first winner since March 11th 2012), the five-year-old son of Oscar (second winner of the day after Jetson was sent off a 9/4 chance, having opened at 3/1 with Paddy Power this morning.
Not beaten far on his first three efforts, the successful bay hit the front shortly before the straight, and he was driven out from over a furlong from home, keeping on well to score by two and a half lengths. Bosman Rule who opened at 10/11 with Powers this morning, went off the 11/8 favourite for Willie and Patrick Mullins, but he couldn’t peg back the winner in the closing stages, and he had to settle for second, while Boulevard King was a further three lengths back in third under Adam O’Neill for John Berry.
Christy Roche said afterwards: “His run at Naas was probably good enough. He jumps well and he will go for a maiden hurdle now.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
