Long House Saint jumps the last on his way to victory under Adrian Heskin© Photo Healy Racing
Long House Saint provided Michael Hourigan junior with his second winner in less than a week (scored with Cut The Corner at Tramore on Sunday) as he took the opener at Kilbeggan this evening, the Kilbeggan Maiden Hurdle.
The five-year-old son of Antonius Pius finished a good second to Hash Brown at Ballinrobe on his last start and he was sent off the well-supported 9/4 joint-favourite to go one place better today (opened at 3's on-course)
Having tracked the leaders throughout he cruised into the lead on the approach to the second last, asserting before the last and going on to score easily by eleven lengths.
Marty’s Magic finished second under Denis O’Regan for Dermot Weld at 7/2 while Fellow Indian was a further six lengths back in third under Roger Loughran (20/1) for Tom Foley. Little Rocky was the other joint-favourite and he had plenty to do when falling at the second last.
Hourigan said afterwards: "Things are happening all of a sudden and maybe we are on an upward curve.
"I got him about a year ago from John Duggan. He was kind of sick early on. All of a sudden he had two good runs and then things went pear shaped after that.
"He has come back again lately. He scoped bad after his Limerick run and he has gotten better after the antibiotics.
"I’m delighted for his owner Paddy (Hayes) and his nephew Kevin. He is from Ballinrobe and we tried to win there with him, that was the plan but then my father (trainer of Hash Brown) came in front of us!"
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards enquired into an incident on the final bend involving Millie Le Bach ridden by Mr M.J. O'Connor, placed fourth, Fellow Indian, ridden by R. Loughran, placed third and Marty's Magic ridden by D.F. O'Regan, placed second, where it appeared that Millie Le Bach ran short of room when racing nearest to the rails. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that the incident was accidental in nature and took no further action.
The Stewards enquired into an incident after the third last hurdle involving Little Rocky (GB), ridden by D.E. Mullins, unplaced and Millie Le Bach, ridden by Mr M.J. O'Connor, placed fourth, where it appeared that Little Rocky (GB) received interference in running and collided with the running rail. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that Mr M.J. O'Connor was in breach of Rule 214 by riding improperly and consequently suspended him for 4 racedays having taken his previous record into consideration.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
