Theos Well clears the last under Jonathan Burke© Photo Healy Racing
The well-backed Theos Well completed his hat-trick in style as he ran out a comfortable winner of the At The Races Handicap Hurdle.
A winner on the level at Ballinrobe in June the Mick Winters trained seven-year-old followed up in a maiden hurdle over the course and distance last month.
Available at 4/1 last night with Paddy Power the son of Tamure opened on-course at just 15/8 before going off the clear 7/4 favourite.
Settled in fifth by Jonathan Burke he took closer order before six out and tracked the leaders entering the straight.
He came through to lead before the third last and he kept up the gallop from there, going on to score by four and three parts of a length. Rock On Fruity (6/1 to 9/2) finished second under Barry Geraghty for Charles Byrnes while Myles Ahead (10/1) was fifteen lengths back in third under Andrew Lynch for Tony Mulholland.
Mick Winters trains the gelding for the Theos Well Syndicate and he said afterwards: "That was mighty and he loves these flat, galloping tracks and summer racing.
"He has become very sound in recent times and hops off that ground. He'll go for a novice hurdle and might also win another race on the flat."
Regarding Rebel Fitz, he added: "In fairness to Davy Russell, when he came in (after the race yesterday) he said he may have gone for 'over-gear' a little early. We can all do things like that though and you could do the same in a car down the road.
"He jumped fabulous though and will go for the Slan Abhaile (at Listowel next) We'll tread carefully but he could run over a shorter trip in a handicap at Cheltenham in March."
STEWARDS REPORT
S.W. Flanagan, rider of Captain Carleton trained by C.W.J. Farrell, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was distressed when pulling up.
Michael O'Hare, trainer of Cracking Man reported to the Clerk of Scales that his charge finished lame.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
