Stand Off and Mark Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
Mark Walsh was likely cooler aboard Stand Off than those that invested at odds of 10/11 in race three at Clonmel. Running at Powerstown Park for the third time in succession Philip Fenton’s charge got the job done in the Irish Racing Industry Fundraiser For Children's Health Foundation Crumlin In Memory Of Pat Smullen Maiden Hurdle.
The gambled-on Awesome Shirocco (14s into 11/2) built up a real head of steam from two out but Walsh was happy to sit aboard the John Power owned and bred Stand Off.
That proved the right course of action on the Milan gelding, uneasy in the market late on, as he was strong from the back of the last.
John Kiely ’s filly Awesome Shirocco couldn’t match him in the closing stages and a length and a half separated them at the line.
Winning trainer Fenton, also on the mark on Limerick on Tuesday with Carrolls Cottage, said: "I felt if he got into a battle that he might come out on top because he does stay well and will get further than two miles. Nothing would be impressive on that sort of ground.
"We'll more than likely look for a handicap next and I don't think he wants the ground as heavy as that.
"This is all a bit of practice on the way to jumping fences and I think he'll be alright."
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Centurion Steel trained by Henry de Bromhead, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
B. Hayes, rider of Coole Arcade trained by John O. Clifford, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount stopped quickly on the ground.
K.M. Donoghue, rider of Deramore Park trained by Barry T. Murphy, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made an abnormal respiratory noise in running.
(TW & EM)
