Screaming Colours and Danny Hand pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
The William Durkan trained Screaming Colours bounced back to his best as he took the Thatch At Ballymore Handicap Chase.
A shock 80/1 winner of a beginners chase at Fairyhouse in April of 2018, the son of Dubai Destination spent almost two years on the sidelines before making a successful return in a point-to-point at Oldtown in February.
A well-beaten fifth in the Tetratema Cup at Gowran on his most recent start, the nine-year-old gelding was sent off a 22/1 chance this afternoon.
Settled towards rear by Danny Hand and not fluent at the second, the bay gelding made a bad mistake at the eighth.
He made gradual progress from seven out and was ridden to the front after the second last, keeping on well from there to score by eight and a half lengths. Miracle In Medinah (10/1) finished second under Jody McGarvey for Gordon Elliott, while the Mervyn Torrens trained Askann (11/4f) was another length and a quarter back in third.
Gary Bannon, assistant trainer, said afterwards: "He's always been a good horse. He won a beginners chase one day at Fairyhouse and beat a horse rated 143.
"He then lost his way and got injured and was off for two years. He won a point-to-point and has come to life again this year.
"We said we'd either go down the hunter chase route or handicap chasing and in fairness the handicapper has given us a chance and he's went away and done it well.
"He'll probably come back here in a few weeks for a three-mile chase on John Durkan day. It’s a special day to this family and hopefully the handicapper won't be too hard on him.
"He's a tough horse who puts his head down. He jumps and gallops."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Wake Up Early trained by Francis J. Flood, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
D.J. O'Keeffe, rider of Call Of The Loon trained by D.J.Ryan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount burst a blood vessel.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Call Of The Loon, trained by D.J.Ryan, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have blood at it's right nostril, possibly as a result of exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage.
S.W. Flanagan, rider of Trappist Monk trained by Noel Meade, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount lost it's action and was pulled up.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Trappist Monk trained by Noel Meade was lame behind post race.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Carrignagapple (GB), at the request of trainer, Catherine Hamilton, and reported the animal to have lost it's right fore shoe but to be otherwise post race normal.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
