A picture for the mantelpiece - Kevin Sexton, Danny Howard and Musawama© Photo Healy Racing
Musawama ran out a very easy winner of the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase, providing his trainer Danny Howard with his first winner.
Formerly trained by John Gosden, Gordon Elliott and Denis Cullen, the five-year-old son of Azamour was having his seventh start for Howard this afternoon, and he was sent off a 13/2 chance.
Having finished third and second on his last two outings, the bay gelding completed the sequence today as he made all and never came off the bridle, coming home a very easy fourteen length winner under Kevin Sexton. Drumlister finished second at 9/2 under Shane Butler for Arthur Moore, while Moncherie was a further sixteen lengths back in third under Martin Burke for Aidan Fogarty at 12/1. Georgie was sent off the 2/1 favourite under John Winston for Martin Cullinane, but he could only manage a disappointing fourth.
Howard said afterwards: "He jumps really well. He does everything very well at home. I’ve had him since the summer and he disappointed on his first few runs for us, but came to himself in recent times. We will pick another handicap for him now.
"I’ve had my licence since Christmas of last year, I train in Milltown Malbay Co Clare and all the work is done on the beach.
"I have five horses three for the track and two point-to-pointers."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
