Gendarme jumps to the front under Kevin Brouder© Photo Healy Racing
Turned out again quickly after finishing seventh at Wexford on Friday, Gendarme claimed the Tramore Racecourse Directors Handicap Hurdle.
Trained by Cathal Byrnes, the six-year-old was sent off a well-backed 5/2 joint-favourite at Wexford and while last approaching the straight there, he made some late gains to finish seventh.
Again well-supported this afternoon from early shows of 11/1, the son of Lawman was settled in mid-division on the inner by Kevin Brouder, taking closer order from three out.
He was switched off the rail to challenge before the next and was ridden to the front from the last, going on to score by two-and-a-quarter lengths in the colours of the Golden Circle Group Syndicate. Royal Recital (8/1) kept on well to take second under Shane O'Callaghan for Ross O'Sullivan, while the front-running Attitash who was sent off the well-supported 2/5 favourite (13/8 early), was a neck back in third.
"He enjoyed the smoother ground here today and maybe he didn't like the hurdles at Wexford," Brouder stated.
"He jumped unreal today and travelled like a buck. He done everything right and is a grand little horse. It wasn't a great race and I'll leave it to the boss as to where he goes next."
