Trainer Michael O'Brien began the new season as well as he usually completes previous ones when saddling a double at Punchestown today with Stashedaway landing the featured Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle on her final racecourse run.
The well bred daughter of Treasure Hunter received a fine drive from Ian Power (substituting for the dehydrated Davy Russell) and will now be retired following a successful racing career, highlighted by three wins in Graded races.
According to O'Brien 'Stashedaway was a great little mare although she would have found it hard to win more races from her high rating.'
Former International Soccer player Niall Quinn was a towering figure in the winner's enclosure after his Star Of Bethlehem landed the opening 2m4f hurdle for the O'Brien yard. Ridden by top amateur Denis Cullen, the winner will go chasing although O'Brien mentioned 'he is a big, weak horse and will be given time off first.'
The opening division of the bumper saw trainer Tom Mullins secure his first winner as a trainer with winner Anyportinastorm benefited from a fine Kevin Power ride. Mullins had his first runner as a trainer on Tuesday and later commented 'he has been doing serious work at home and he could make a top class novice chaser next season.'
Cutbush jockey Paddy Flood landed the Martinstown Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle on board Trail Storm. Auctioneer Frank McGuinness donned his trainer's hat for the day and later stated 'she's one of only two horses I have in training and will go chasing in the Autumn.'
The win provided Flood with a share of the Jockeys' Series along with Larry Hurley.
A jockey with a future in the business is 21 year old Robbie Moran who landed the prestigious four mile Conyngham Cup with Tom Nagle's No Messin'. The winner jumped his way to the front at the fifth last and eventually repelled the challenge of Ashtorm by three lengths.
