Michael Holden's Colmcille was a rare four year old chase winner at Tramore today with the 20/1 shot proving a saviour for bookmakers in the Auto Boland Land Rover Beginners Chase.
Michael Darcy, who turned professional last June, held Colmcille up in the early stages before making strong progress into second before two out. However, the fall of the leader Mossland at this fence caused interference to Colmcille, who displayed great battling qualities to head The Dark Flasher close home.
Holden later stated 'he jumps very well and it seems the bigger the obstacles are, the better he is! I thought the ground might be too quick but he is a very athletic horse. He may revert to hurdling or to the Flat now because there are not many races for him over fences.'
Trainer Eugene O'Sullivan, whose Teo Perugo was controversially disqualified at Cork last Sunday, gained some compensation when his Two Excuses won the McDonald Bros Maiden Hurdle under Martin Ferris.
The winner overcame a stewards' enquiry following minor interference after jumping the last, with O'Sullivan later commenting 'he deserved a win and the change of tactics we used last time at Galway worked well here. He'll go for a handicap hurdle at Cork next weekend.'
Jockey Ron Flavin has done well from limited opportunities and rode his third winner since returning home from England a few months ago, on Chicago Vic in the 2m4f handicap hurdle.
Flavin had the mare well placed in mid division before making steady progress to lead after the second last flight. Chicago Vic, however, needed to be driven right out to hold the late challenge of Threequarter Moon by half a length.
The opening three year old maiden hurdle was, as expected, won by Kevin Prendergast's Rolling Home. The 4/7 favourite chased the leader throughout before making progress under Garrett Cotter to lead after the second last, for a four length win over Grangehill Dancer.
Time On Your Side may not have had things her own way when running at this venue last night but reappeared today to win the Smirnoff Handicap. Apprentice jockey Jerry O'Dwyer is good value for his five pound claim and steered the daughter of Revoque to a five length success over Heroism.
Regarding her run 24 hours earlier, trainer Brian Nolan reported 'they went no gallop last night and she needs a test of stamina. We'll aim for a similar race now while her dam, Traumerei, has nine foals and each has won.'
Willie Austin's On Coo Lady landed the Sharp Minds Betfair Handicap under Brian Hughes while Rory Cleary's great run continued when getting Eglington up close home to win the concluding Guinness Median Auction Maiden.
Thomas Weekes.
