Newsworthy and Simon Cavanagh© Photo Healy Racing
There was popular local success when the Richie Cavanagh-owned and Dot Love-trained Newsworthy went in at odds of 14/1 in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.
Seven pound claiming amateur Simon Cavanagh rode a winner previous on Jack Aboo, whilst he also got another win to his name on a technicality (Goldmineinthesky at Down Royal in March 2016).
But this one will live long in the now Joseph O'Brien employee's memory coming as it did at his local track.
The pursuing pair, Master Appeal and Screaming Rose clashed at the last, but they'd have done well in any case to get to Newsworthy who had four and a half lengths in hand at the finish.
"We're very happy with that. We thought he would have won a couple before this," said Mrs Love's assistant Ciaran Murphy.
"We decided to go chasing and step him up in trip. It was a little bit sharp in Limerick the last day and he made a mistake down the back and it caught him out. He ran on then and today the step up to two-mile six really suited him.
"Simon gave him a lovely ride and took the bull by the horns today and he left nothing to chance.
"He'll be a lovely staying chaser and there will be something nice for him in the spring. There is a nice race in him I'd say.
"He'll probably go to Galway but I'd say he'll go over hurdles there. He has a nice mark over hurdles and then we'll make a plan after that."
C.D. Maxwell, rider of Keephimbachwilliam trained by Adrian McAllister, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was choking after one circuit.
D.E. Mullins, rider of Last Encounter trained by Ms Margaret Mullins, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount jumped left.
(GC & EM)
