Mountain Lough and Andrew McNamara© Photo Healy Racing
Mountain Lough bounced back to form when landing a bit of a touch in the handicap chase at Killarney.
The Louis Archdeacon-trained gelding had taken two point-to-points over the winter but after a good run in a hunters chase at Clonmel in February he had been well held on two subsequent starts.
There was plenty of faith in him today, however, as he dropped back in trip on his return to handicap company. He was backed from 12/1 this morning into 11/2 joint-favourite on track.
Andrew McNamara tracked the leaders on the Anshan gelding before hitting the front at the second last.
He kicked on before the last and always looked in control, posting a three-and-a-half-length winning margin over long-time leader Torremuelle
It was a first winner 'on the track' for Archdeacon since Look Between Us, who was also partnered by McNamara, won at the Listowel festival in 2005.
"He lost his confidence over fences and point-to-pointing did the trick with him," said Archdeacon afterwards.
"He possibly wasn't staying three miles though. Andrew said that he'd get two-and-a-half no problem but probably not any further."
The other joint-favourite, In The Haven couldn't land a blow in fifth.
Gary Carson & Thomas Weekes
