Tyre Kicker and Keith Donoghue © Photo Healy Racing
A step up in trip proved just the trick for Tyre Kicker who showed great reserves of stamina on his switch to handicap company to land division one of the Bar One Racing Bet In-Play Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown.
The Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding looked booked for minor honours approaching the final flight but relished every yard of this three miles staying on dourly on the run-in.
The 17/2 chance got up in the closing stages under Keith Donoghue to deny 7/2 favourite Presenting Point by half-a-length, with I’m Not Alone three-and-a-half lengths back in third and Appian Way completing the places in fourth.
Cromwell said, “It was a lovely ride by Keith. It looked to me like they got racing very early and he just got there in the nick of time.
“He looked flat out all the way. It’s his first time over that trip.
“He could do with slower ground and we’ll probably put him away for a while.”
