Amschel and Rachael Blackmore© Photo Healy Racing
On his first outing for John O'Shea, Amschel provided the local trainer with his first winner since 2013 when triumphant in the Kilkenny City & County Vintners Hurdle at Gowran under Rachael Blackmore.
Not far away in the opening two races on Presentingprincess (2nd) and Judgement Day (3rd) Blackmore wasn't to be denied on this occasion.
Amschel's hurdling left something to be desired at times, but he was strong at the finish to get the better of Room To Roam by a length.
"To be honest I can't take much of the credit for it because I only have him a few weeks," acknowledged O'Shea.
He then explained: "He's a horse with a big engine and it didn't really work out for him there because they didn't go quick enough for him.
"He put his head down and battled when he had to.
"I won this race in 2011 with Devil's Bit and this one is a good bit better than him. He was rated 125.
"I suppose at this stage of the year when you win with anything you go to Galway, it's the done thing.
"He'll probably go for a novice hurdle there but I wouldn't rule out running him on the Flat there either. He is probably up to winning one of them."
D.N. Russell, rider of Kuraka (GB), trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount jumped left and did not handle the ground.
(DM & EM)
