Sort It Out (nearside, noseband) coming through to win for Mark Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
The money earlier in the day in the Buy Your Tickets Online At www.punchestown.com Handicap Hurdle may have been for Followmeuptocarlow (3rd) and Maguire's Glen (4th) but on track they came for Sort It Out (20s into 10s) and he prevailed to credit owner J P McManus with a double.
Once the Eddie Harty-trained Sort It Out, coming off a 59-day break, got in the clear under Mark Walsh from before the last, the gamble was looking likely to be landed and the five-year-old went on to prevail by two lengths from favourite Gallant Oscar
"It's a nice way to finish what has been a tough year. He lost his way a bit at the backend of last season, and mine were just not right through November," reflected Harty.
"They have all been running well lately, and it's nice to get a winner."
McManus had earlier seen his silks carried to victory by Jody McGarvey on the Christy Roche-handled Golden Ticket in race two.
The Stewards enquired into the apparent improvement in form of Sort It Out, trained by Edward P.Harty, placed first, as compared with its recent form.
Evidence was heard from the trainer concerned who stated that he was unable to give an exact explanation other than this gelding had won well at Gowran Park in testing conditions.
He added that he had disappointed on his three most recent runs and went home to the owners establishment for a two week break after his most recent poor run at Naas on the 2nd November.
He explained that he was kept by the owner for a fortnight and was not ridden out but kept exercised on the horse walker. During this period he had also noticed that his own yard was under a cloud where his runners were running disappointingly.
He carried out extensive tests within his yard and a nutritional problem was found. He confirmed that this matter was subsequently addressed and in recent weeks his runners appeared to have returned to form with two winners and a number of placed runners.
Evidence was also heard from Noel O'Brien, Turf Club Senior N.H. handicapper, who stated that this gelding was impressive when winning at Gowran Park but had disappointed in his three most recent runs.
Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the trainers explanation.
(AM & EM)
