Won In The Dark took a division of the Railway Bar three-year-old Hurdle twelve months ago before going to the top of the juvenile timber toppers tree and many expected The First Of God to get his jumping career off to the right start in this year's renewal.
However the 1/2 favourite (from 8/13), couldn't reel in the front-running, sound jumping in the main, Tellhimnow The half length victor was lucky to stay standing after a horrible blunder three out under Garrett Cotter, but kept up the gallop in the straight, just holding on.
Jimmy Coogan said of his 16/1 winner, who got in as first reserve, "I really fancied him but I was afraid of the ground, only for that I would have had a few quid on him. He has been schooling all summer and if the ground stays dry he'll go to Tralee. One of the owners is Kevin Prendergast, the trainer. He is a good auld buddy of mine and I persuaded him to take a leg of this fellow."
Paul Carberry made his return from a three week break after suffering severe concussion in a fall at Killarney. He rode The First Of God and the Co. Meath rider goes to America to ride Salford City on Thursday. (EM)
