Heads up heads down as The Reaping Race and Conor McNamara (right) pip Minella Away© Photo Healy Racing
The rain was hammering down ahead of the Bet 10 Get 20 Handicap Hurdle (Div II) and only six of the twelve runners completed the course, but it still produced a dramatic finish as The Reaping Race (4/1) put his head down at the perfect moment to win on the nod.
Looking held in third before the last, Conor McNamara’s mount kept on resolutely to challenge Minella Away after that one had gone on from Don’t Let Go at the final flight.
Phillip Enright lost his whip on the John Nallen-trained runner who was green as well but looked likely to just hold on, but McNamara’s mount just bobbed at the most opportune time to gain the verdict by a nose.
It was a double for the winning jockey after his earlier win on big outsider Billy’s Angel, and a first win for the Flemensfirth 7-year-old who had managed just one placed effort from thirteen previous outings.
Winning trainer Eric McNamara( third winner from as many runners) said: "He is just an out and out stayer and toughed it out. The fact the ground came soft was definitely in our favour.
"He'll continue to mix it in handicap hurdles; he wants three miles and wants an ease in the ground.
"He will jump fences sooner rather than later; he has schooled over fences and jumps fences better than he jumps hurdles."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
