Master Oscar (extreme left) jumps the final flight© Photo Healy Racing
Jody McGarvey may have lost his grip on the Champion Conditional Jockey title this season, but the rider did land the opener on day two of the Punchestown Festival, winning the Martinstown Opportunity Final Handicap Hurdle on the Christy Roche trained Master Oscar
McGarvey hugged the inside throughout the two and a half miles on the son of Oscar before producing him to eventually lead late-on, for a half length win over Flatfoot Boogie
Afterwards Roche stated “I'm delighted for Michael (O'Riordan, owner) who is a great supporter of mine and he just wanted a runner at Punchestown!
“We took a chance running him on this ground as he really needs it soft and I've always felt he'd jump a fence so hopefully he does.”
The win moves McGarvey on to the 20 winner mark for the season, two winners behind leader Kevin Sexton with just three days of the season, at Punchestown, left.
Jockey Brian Cawley, who was unplaced on Foot Soldier in the race, was the overall winner of the Martinstown Opportunity Series.
By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee
