Melbourne Shamrock off the mark on handicap debut Former point-to-point winner Melbourne Shamrock recorded a first victory under Rules when justifying favouritism in the Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle at Naas. Sent off 5/2f, the Emmet Mullins trained gelding was never out of the first two, as he led or disputed with Hartur D'arc. Quickening smartly under Donagh Meyler to head the latter at the final flight, the Robert Waley-Cohen owned seven-year-old kicked a couple of lengths clear on the run-in. Minella Sixo emerged from out of the chasing pack to get to within a neck at the line but the eventual winner was always just doing enough. “It was a gritty performance. He’s been knocking on the door in a few nicer races,” said Mullins. “It’s a great win to get for Robert, to get him qualified for Cheltenham. I’d say he should take his place in the Pertemps Final, once he gets into the race. “Hopefully that won’t leave a mark on him but he is a tough, hardy, horse. “Fingers crossed we can be competitive. If it was slower ground he is a thorough stayer. Ground dependent, I’d give him a chance. “He’ll be a real nice staying chaser next year. Fingers crossed there might be a nice staying handicap chase in him somewhere along the line.” When asked if he sees him as a National type long term he added:- “Fingers crossed we can get him down that way.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
