18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure

Supporter prevails in battle of the veterans

Old Supporter (left) and Ballyfinboy jump the last together Old Supporter (left) and Ballyfinboy jump the last together
© Photo Healy Racing

Veterans battled out the finish to the Tramore Bookmakers Handicap Chase, with the thirteen-year-old Old Supporter just getting the better of twelve-year-old Ballyfinboy

Successful in this race in 2015, the Helen Markham trained victor was last seen finishing a good second to Ringrone Castle at Roscommon earlier this month.

Sent straight to the front by Mark Bolger, the son of Sunshine Street made a mistake five out and was headed after the next by Castlewhite

He was pushed along before two out, and soon disputed the lead, keeping on best on the run-in to prevail by a short head.

The aforementioned Ballyfinboy was returned at 20/1, while the eleven-year-old Naughty Molly (6/1) was another two and a quarter lengths back in third. Black Jewel (10/1) completed the places in fourth, while the 6/4 favourite Wee Tiger fell at the first.

Markham said: "That was great and I'm absolutely delighted. He is thirteen and we were just hopeful. He was in great form. The ground was probably a little on the soft side for him. He loves rattling off the ground.

"He battled great. He won this race in 2015, we'll hardly be back again next year but you'd never know.

"He is in at Killarney next Thursday, and we'll see how he comes out of this. He is just ground dependent and loves summer ground."

About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.