Mike McCann and Andrew Lynch clear the last© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Michael O'Hare ended a fruitless spell that stretched back to the summer of 2013, when his Mike McCann (first-time tongue-strap) took the opening Charlie Lowry Memorial Maiden Hurdle at Navan under Andrew Lynch.
Once the Helissio gelding, the second favourite, got the better of front-running market-leader Horse No Name (reversing form with that one from January 24th), before two out, it was soon looking like a scenario of case closed. He went on to score by four and a half lengths.
"He had a bit of form earlier on. Barney and Michael thought putting a tongue-tie on would help him and it obviously did.
"He jumped and travelled well though he got very tired on the ground. It's dead old ground. They are getting into it but they're just not getting out of it.
"The O'Hare's horses seem to be coming back to themselves," explained Lynch.
For his part Michael O'Hare said: "He works like a machine but I was worried about the ground and blame that for his run the last day.
"I stuck a tongue tie on in his work and said I'd leave it on. Hopefully that's a change of luck as it's been a long time (since we had a winner)." (AM & EM)
