Nobody Home (farside) just leads The Informer over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Nobody Home recorded his first success on his twentieth start, as he took the punchestown.com Handicap Hurdle under Chris Timmons for owner and trainer Eddie Cawley.
Fifth, fourth and third on his last three starts, the six-year-old was sent off at 5/1 today, having opened at 11/2 on-course.
Settled in mid-division the son of Trans Island took closer order from three out and was fourth before the next.
He was ridden in pursuit of the leader as they entered the straight, and he hit the front before the last, keeping on well on the run-in to score by a length and a half. The Informer (28/1), who hit the front two out, had to settle for second under Shane Butler for Seamus Fahey, while the 11/4 favourite Knockraha King was another three and a half lengths back in third with Paul Townend in the saddle for Adrian Maguire. Small World for Roger Loughran and Sandra Hughes, completed the placings a further half a length away in fourth at 33/1.
"He's always threatened to win one like this. The last day he came with a run but probably the ground was a bit dead," said assistant Tom Coyle.
"He's in again on Sunday, I doubt he'll run, but he'll mix it between chasing and hurdling all summer.
"He'll stay in because he wants good ground. We were probably running him in the winter when it didn't suit him.
"We thought he was a winter horse but he's run on good ground now three times and he hasn't been out of the money.
"He wants a trip as well and we were running him over too short.
"The boss man is on a flight at the minute and he'll get a pleasant surprise when he turns on his phone."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards fined Jarlath P.Fahey, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of The Rite Article, 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.
The Stewards fined John Geoghegan, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Inspector Caldy, 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.
C.D. Maxwell, rider of Inspector Caldy trained by John Geoghegan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was pulled up having burst a blood vessel.
D.E. Splaine, rider of Scantyanduncertain trained by D.E.Fitzgerald, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount gurgled from two hurdles out.
P.W. O'Reilly, rider of Ballinahow Bill, trained by David Harry Kelly, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that he pulled up as the saddle on his mount had slipped early in the race.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
