Our Uncle Jack © Photo Healy Racing
A remote fourth on hurdling debut at Fairyhouse, Our Uncle Jack (17/2, from 16s this morning) appreciated a drop in grade to run out a ready winner of the www.tramoreraces.ie Maiden Hurdle in the hands of Sean O'Keeffe.
Trained in Killeagh Co Cork by Martin Fitzgerald, the Shirocco gelding led two and overcame a guessy jump at the last to beat Grasshopper Time by six and a half lengths.
Martin Fitzgerald said: "He just puts his tongue over the bit and that's why we put the tongue strap on him today. He will have to learn to settle better I suppose.
"He wasn't beaten far in a bumper at Listowel last year and with a bit of luck on our side he might have won that day. My own son Danny was riding him and he had a fresh bit of ground picked out for him up the straight, but when he went for it, the rest of the horses in front came out and went for the same strip of ground. He ended up clipping heels and had to be pulled back and go around them. He settled that day and while he didn't settle great today, his ability just got him through.
"Reading through the form for this race I thought he had the form to win it. I thought the tongue-strap might help settle him, but he still took a fair pull today. Sean has ridden winners for me before and once you get any of the O'Keeffe's you're laughing, Darragh or Sean. They have both ridden winners for me.
"We will just try to get ask much as we can out of him over hurdles this year. I think he might develop into a nice chaser next year as he is over 17 hands. My father Joe bred him and owns him as well."
Quotes from Donal Murphy
