Tassarolo tops Tatateo to give Hogan a Thurles '1-2' Tassarolo (5/1) registered a third career success today as the bargain-buy led home a ‘1-2’ for trainer Denis Hogan in Thurles’ Moyne Rated Novice Hurdle. Patiently ridden in the seven-runner race by Gavin Brouder, the Godolphin-bred son of Farhh improved to lead after the last and quickened well to score by a length from stablemate Tatateo, with gambled Lambay Island (4/1 — 6/4f) finishing third. Hogan reported “Gavin gave Tassarolo a very good ride and while he has only ridden a few horses for us, he had won a maiden hurdle on this horse and is a talented young rider. Gavin rode Tassarolo the last day and knew him, so we kept riding arrangements the same. “It was a great result for me and while it was hard luck on the owners (Final Reminder Syndicate) of the runner-up, both horses ran well. The two horses are very similar and there were a lot of people asking me ‘which one?’ today, but they are similarly rated and really I couldn’t split them. Both were going up in trip but it was just which one would see it out better, and the winner did. “Tassarolo is owned by our local publican (in the Full Of Hope Syndicate) and unfortunately one of the members John O’Shea passed away the day the horse won his maiden hurdle. He has a rating of 62 on the Flat so can go back to there too so there are options with him.” Regarding his 2,000gns purchase price in July 2024, Hogan added “he was very well bred but had his problems, although I thought I could iron them out. We’ll be back at Newmarket (sales) again next week hoping to buy the same again and if any fall through the cracks, we’ll pick them up.”
