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Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

Masterson rules in Naas opener

Sat 11th Feb 2012, 13:34

Bat Masterson is clear at NaasBat Masterson is clear at Naas
© Photo Healy Racing

First-time blinkers helped Bat Masterson (13/2) gain an overdue maiden win in the opening Paddy Power Cheltenham Trial Sunday 26th February Maiden Hurdle, winning for trainer Noel Meade and jockey Davy Condon.

The son of Alhaarth looked a different proposition in blinkers, making all before readily holding the challenge of Midnight Oil by four and three parts of a length, with eyecatcher Time To Work finishing well in third.

Afterwards Meade stated “when Bat Masterson ran at Limerick, Paul (Carberry, jockey) said that the horse thought that he was going to sink on the heavy ground – he’s only a small horse. After that we gave him a bit of a break.

“Blinkers helped today and he stays really well. We’ll see what rating he gets and find something else for him before the end of the season. I would say there is a Flat race in him as well.”

About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.