Geneva Barracks (Conor Brassil, nearside) battles it out with Free Ranger (Sean Flanagan)© Photo Healy Racing
Injured ravaged 5Ib claimer Conor Brassil rode his first winner since June when triumphant for his father Martin aboard Geneva Barracks in the Join Naas Racecourse Business Club Handicap Hurdle.
The John Brennan-owned well-backed 9/2 shot was delivered up the inner by Brassil in the straight, with several still holding chances over the final couple of flights. Free Ranger bidding to give Noel Meade and Sean Flanagan a double, ran well as he attempted to follow up on a Punchestown win from 13 days back.
He eventually had to yield to Geneva Barrack by half a length, with the same distance to Ballyneety in third.
“He’d a nice run in Cork but he was held up for about three weeks after that. He kept kicking coming back in the box," said Brassil senior.
“I felt coming here today he might need it and I was going to drop him in. Conor said everyone was going to drop in so he tracked the leaders and didn’t have as much ground to make up.
“He’s quite a bit of ability but needed the rub of the green. It’s good for Conor as he’s had a run of terrible injuries for a few years.
“I was half thinking of going chasing but we might give him another summer hurdling.
“City Island will come back here for a novice hurdle on February 9th.”
(AM & EM)
