From Flemington to Fairyhouse - so near yet so far J.P. McManus narrowly missed out on Melbourne Cup-glory this morning and this afternoon landed Fairyhouse’s GavinLynchRacing.com Maiden Hurdle with Sticwiththeprocess (8/11f), who provided trainer Ted Walsh with a double. McManus’ Goodie Two Shoes finished a gallant second to Half Yours in the southern hemisphere’s greatest race at 4am this morning and, today in Meath, his Sticwiththeprocess was a well-backed (5/4 — 8/11f) winner, under Mark Walsh. The son of Blue Bresil had the measure of Khmer when that rival fell at the final flight and eventually scored by 1.75 lengths from Minella Diamond . Grand National-winner Ted Walsh, earlier successful with homebred Adrienne, reported “Sticwiththeprocess was entitled to win when Gordon’s horse (fourth-placed Whinney Hill) didn’t operate. He’s rated 114 and had handicap experience, so he’s entitled to win that kind of race. “The horse that beat him (Grann’s Boy) here in April is now rated 130 and they were well clear of the third that day. He got 9lb for that but that’s his mark and that’s what he is. He was getting 8lb off the winners today, so you’d have to have a 122 horse to beat him. “He should jump a fence, he’s a big old fella. You always think they’re going to jump fences but it’s a different ball game and they have to be a bit more of a man about it. He’s a big lairy so-and-so and just does enough.” Quotes from Gary Carson
