Readin Tommy Wrong and Jody Townend pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Readin Tommy Wrong impressively dismissed his 13 rivals in the concluding Jennings Meats INH Flat Race, providing Willie Mullins with his first winner of the two-day old 2023/24 National Hunt season.
Second on his sole point-to-point start at Bellharbour in February of last year when trained by Pat Doyle, the Authorized gelding was well-fancied to deliver on his racecourse debut, going off the even money favourite in the colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.
Settled in mid-division on the outer by Jody Townend, the five-year-old took closer order with four furlongs left to race, sweeping to the front on the approach to the straight.
Pushed along a furlong and a half from home, he quickly put the race to bed, staying on strongly to score by seven lengths.
The Gordon Elliott-trained Arabian Diamond (13/2 from 8s) came through to take second under Harry Swan, while Master Player (33/1) was another three-and-a-quarter lengths back in third.
Returned the 7/4 second favourite, Any Road faded tamely from the three furlong pole and he eventually finished a disappointing sixth.
"He was very good. His work at home has been good enough as well but he only kind of does what he has to," Townend commented.
"You can work him with anything and he'd just do enough but it's the right way to have them and he's a lovely horse. When you want him he's there for you.
"He's a fine big horse and you could see him jumping a fence in time."
STEWARDS REPORTS
Mr Pat Taaffe, rider of Any Road, trained by E. J. O'Grady, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount reared up at the start
Mr F. Maguire, rider of Hob's Angel trained by Martin Gerard McGuane, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung left throughout this race
The Raceday Stewards fined Paul John Gilligan, trainer, E65 for failing to fit the declared cheek pieces to Elusive Action prior to entering the parade ring. The Raceday Stewards noted that this animal ran without the declared cheek pieces and cautioned Paul John Gilligan following an enquiry in which he admitted the offence
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
