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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Mitchouka has confidence back over fences

Thu 6th Feb 2020, 13:49

Mitchouka and Donie McInerneyMitchouka and Donie McInerney
© Photo Healy Racing

Mitchouka scored at the first time of asking for new connections when landing the Templemore Beginners Chase at Thurles.

The French-bred gelding was a useful juvenile hurdler winning four times for Gigginstown and Gordon Elliott including at Grade 3 level but had gone nearly two years without a victory.

He was snapped up for 42,000 by Chris Jones at Doncaster last September and was making his debut here for trainer Gearoid O’Loughlin.

Arvico Bleu has proved a frustrating sort to follow over fences but looked set to put that right when clear after two out where 6/5 favourite Antey fell and slightly hampered Mitchouka.

However, the distress signals went out on the run-in and Mitchouka came home much the stronger under Donie McInerney to prevail by a length and three quarters.

Thegoaheadman was 17 lengths back in third with Max Dynamite in fourth.

O'Loughlin said, "We have a lot of schooling done with him. He'd lost his confidence and Gordon (Elliott, previous trainer) and Keith Donoghue had both said that. In fairness to Donie McInerney he has done a hell of a lot of schooling with him.

"We bought him in October, gave him seven weeks off and had him ready for Leopardstown (Christmas) but he gave himself a bad enough over-reach and I couldn't run him.

"The main objective today was actually for a clear round of jumping and whatever happened after that happened. I'm delighted with him and he has a massive engine.

"I don't know where we go with him but I'm sure there'll be something coming up in the next few weeks.

"He goes to the beach once a week and if he stayed three miles, he'd be some horse over banks but he's probably too quick."

(TW & AM)

About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.