Gotthenod leads home her rivals under Simon Torrens© Photo Healy Racing
Gotthenod bounced back to form as she sprang a 40/1 surprise in the Live Streaming On The Boylesports App Handicap Hurdle.
Trained by Dot Love, the six-year-old daughter of Famous Name won a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan in May of last year but ran no sort of race on her return to action at Ballinrobe in July.
Settled behind the leaders under Simon Torrens, the chestnut victor improved to the front with a circuit to race.
Ridden and joined entering the straight, she battled gamely and pulled out more to regain the lead from the last, keeping on well from there to score by two and a half lengths. Rebel Waltz (13/2 into 7/2 joint-favouritism) kept on nicely to take second, just a short head in front of Dave And Bernie (5/1), who looked the likely winner entering the straight, in third. Sweet Sting was the other joint-favourite but she faded in the straight and eventually finished ninth.
Assistant trainer Ciaran Murphy said afterwards: "We couldn't understand what happened her the last day at Ballinrobe. We just couldn’t get to the bottom of it.
"She loves soft ground and has plenty of guts. She has schooled well over fences and that's where her future lies. She'll go over them in the winter but she’ll probably go for another handicap hurdle now."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Sweet Sting, trained by Michael J. Bowe, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
B. Hayes, rider of Sweet Sting trained by Michael J. Bowe, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran too keen.
The Stewards requested a report from Mrs D. A. Love, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Gotthenod, placed first, as compared with its recent form. Mrs. D. A. Love stated that she was not able to account for her charge's disappointing run at Ballinrobe last time out but she felt that the slower ground today coupled with the steady early pace of todays race had allowed her charge to get into the race easier and build in confidence. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation given.
