Londonofficecallin and Daniel King survive a mistake at the final hurdle to win for trainer Eric McNamara © Photo Healy Racing
An expensive failure on his stable debut at Limerick last month, Londonofficecallin rewarded those punters that kept the faith, when landing some tidy bets in the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown.
Formerly trained by Evanna McCutcheon, the six-year-old had been expected to show improvement on his recent debut for Eric McNamara but could manage no better than sixth place at the Patrickswell venue.
Again strong in the market this afternoon, the son of Alhebayeb ran his rivals ragged, having the race in safe keeping well before the second last flight.
Despite a few anxious moments when the grey pecked on landing after the final flight, those that joined in the gamble never had too many worries, as Daniel King guided the favourite to an easy 16 length win.
Conor McNamara said:- “Dan was good on him, he gave him a great ride.
“There wasn't much pace and he let him roll away in front, I'd say he got a bit of a freebie in front but having said that he wound it up well from the back of the third last and he was impressive.
“His form had been hit and miss so it's hard to know the strength of the race. If it was his first handicap you might give him the benefit of the doubt but he could come out and flop the next day — hopefully he won't.
“There is a race for him on the Flat next Friday, a mile-and-a-half at Fairyhouse, and he might go there.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
