Pace And Passion both vital in tight finish The Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle provided a thrilling spectacle with a number of the 16-runner field holding a chance before Pace And Passion prevailed in a blanket finish. The eight-year-old mare has shaped well since switched to handicaps after a winter break, and was produced with a well-timed challenge here by Ryan Treacy, who was recording his 21st career success, to score at odds of 7/1. The well-backed 5/2 favourite Gold Class appeared to have come with a winning run when landing in front over the last but it was all change on the run-in as challengers came from all angles. The Thomas Farrell-trained Pace And Passion led in the closing stages to get off the mark at the fourteenth attempt, with Personal Shopper flashing home on the stands' side to be denied by only a short-head. Zanouska held every chance another half-length away in third, with Gold Class dropping back to fourth and Cloudy Morning another to finish well close-up in fifth. Treacy, who is based with John Ryan in Tipperary, said, "The second last we weren't that fluent at it but she dug deep and she got there. I rode her a few times before, and the break has done her good. The ground is plenty quick enough." (GC & AM)
