Churchwarden leaves them for dead The Tote-sponsored Tramore Derby over a mile and a-half resulted in victory for local connections as Churchwarden scored easily under Gary Carroll. A hurdles winner for John McConnell and picked up from an online sale for £4,200 guineas in October, the six-year-old was handy throughout and went on from half-a-mile out to slam Highway Sixty One by 10 lengths. As big as 11/1 this morning, the winner was sent off at 10/3. Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead said "It is a real local winner and it's great to see Robert Dooly leading him in. There are people involved from all over the country in Pimlico Racing, but plenty from Waterford and Tramore and this horse was bought specifically to win this race. "Pimlico are great supporters of ours and the game, and they do a really good job. Nathaniel Barnett and Tom Raine bought him, and sent him to us to have a go. "After his previous run in Clonmel, I thought we would struggle, so I am delighted for everyone and Gary (Carroll) gave him a super spin. The (first-time) blinkers had the desired effect and he is a lovely horse who also jumps well." Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
