Itsalonglongroad springs surprise under Coakley Itsalonglongroad made it two from two at Tramore, as he sprang a surprise in the Brennan's Pharmacy Tramore Handicap. A winner over flights at Graun Hill in April of 2018, he registered his second career success on the level at Ballinrobe in July of last year. Having failed to make an impact on his last number of starts, the John McConnell trained six-year-old was sent off a 22/1 chance this evening in the colours of the Rockview Racing Club. Settled towards rear, the son of Lawman made good progress on the outer from the five furlong pole and was pushed along in third as they began the climb for home. Ridden to the front a furlong out, he was soon challenged by Effernock Fizz (11/1), but he kept on well to hold off that rival by a neck. The runner-up, with Mark Gallagher aboard for Katy Brown, raced wide from four furlongs out and ultimately this may have cost her the race. The front pair went six lengths clear of Legal Spin in third, while Pearl Warrior, who was sent off the 9/4 favourite was another nine and a half lengths back in fourth. Ross Coakley was aboard the winner and he said: "It's a real horses for courses job. He won here before over hurdles and I won on him around Ballinrobe on the flat. "He has a very forward running style which suits these country tracks because he is taking you everywhere. "They went a nice good gallop which suited me because he was keen and he done well to win because he was probably doing a shade too much for me the whole way around. "He is very well-balanced around these type of tracks. He toughed it out well." STEWARDS REPORTS * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Pearl Warrior (GB), trained by J.P. Murtagh, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. * James J. Doyle, rider of Timemakesitfine trained by James McAuley, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount slipped during this race and lost its action. * M.A. Gallagher, rider of Effernock Fizz trained by Miss Katy Brown, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung all the way and ran off the bottom bend.
