Authorative and Jody McGarvey leads over the last from Steel Wave and Paul Townend© Photo Healy Racing
He didn't go un-backed (14s into 12s) but doubtless many layers were happy to see Authorative get the better of Steel Wave in the Book Goffs Thyestes Packages Today Handicap Hurdle at Gowran.
There was plenty of money down on Steel Wave, from the time the market began on this two and a half miler last night, and he eventually went off the 9/4 favourite.
Paul Townend delivered Garrett Power's charge from off the pace up the straight, to have every chance.
The hooded son of Craigsteel was able to beat the other fourteen by five and a half lengths, but he couldn't get to grips with the Rita Shah-owned and Jody McGarvey-ridden Authorative.
The principals were separated by three parts of a length at the finish.
A winner in his Flat days for John Murphy, Authorative, was getting off the mark at the jumping game here, fitted with a tongue-strap for the first time.
Successful handler Anthony McCann said: "He ran well in England the last day, and I knew he was well in himself coming here today. Rita Shah has put her full support behind me, and it's great to train a winner for her.
"Our new wood-chip gallop is starting to pay off. It was put in ten weeks ago, and we are starting to do fast work on it now.
"This horse is fairly versatile ground wise and will go on a bit softer, plus the tongue tie worked. That's Jody's first winner for us."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards fined Peter Fahey, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Master Bones in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order. (AM & EM)
