Glen Ava clears the last under Patrick O'Brien© Photo Healy Racing
Punters were left scratching their heads for the third race in succession at Limerick, with the Claire O'Connell-trained Glen Ava taking the Springfort Hall Hotel Handicap Chase at the odds of 25/1 (66s early).
The winner of a point-point for O'Connell in November of 2021, the Court Cave mare was successful three times at Perth last summer when trained by Iain Jardine.
Now back in the care of O'Connell, she failed to make an impact on her last two starts and was dropped to a career low mark of 81.
Soon settled behind the leaders by 7lb conditional Patrick O'Brien, the bay victor was fourth from three out but made good progress to lead before the next.
Soon headed and ridden, she battled back gamely to regain the lead before the last, keeping on well on the run-in to score by three-parts of a length.
Supported from 14s early into 9/2 at the off, Tullyhogue Fort ran on well to finish a never nearer second under JJ Slevin, while Gondor (13/2), who lead briefly from two out, was another two-and-a-half lengths back in third.
Sent off the 5/6 favourite, Full Noise was beaten in eighth when pulling up before the second last.
"We bred her, it means the world for us and she is booked in for a date with Poet's Word in the next few weeks," O'Connell revealed.
"She went over to England last summer when I leased her to Iain Jardine and they did a great job with her. She just needs a bit of space and seems to be a mare for the summer. We brought her out hunting one day and it seemed to change her mind and being at the beach also helped freshen her up.
"She will continue running for the summer.
"Patrick lives locally and I know his father who rode for Pat Rooney and rode work in our place."
STEWARDS REPORTS
K.M. Donoghue, rider of Full Noise, trained by Ronan M.P. McNally, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount made jumping mistakes.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Full Noise, trained by Ronan M.P. McNally, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
The Raceday Stewards requested a report from Ms Claire O'Connell, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Glen Ava, placed first, as compared with its recent form. The trainer stated that the mare was coming back fresh from a break, she also stated that she can be a bit claustrophobic and needs a bit of room when she's racing which she got today. Having considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards noted the content of the report.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
