Arthur Moore's profitable strike-rate in valuable handicaps reaped handsome dividends yet again at Gowran Park yesterday when The Gatherer landed the featured Powers Gold Label Handicap Hurdle in the hands of Conor O'Dwyer, writes Brian Fleming.
Returning to action after a near six month lay-off, J.P.McManus six-year-old, one of three Moore runners in the field, was sent off at 12-1 and he arrived travelling sweetly for O'Dwyer to forge ahead after the penultimate flight before comfortably holding Just Our Job and the never-nearer Penny Rich.
'I was quite hopeful, quietly I suppose, beforehand as he was working well and was pretty forward. That was a nice race and he'll probably stay over hurdles,' said Moore, who followed up half-an-hour later for a 116/1 brace when Glenelly Gale, again partnered by Conor O'Dwyer, made a winning bow over the larger obstacles in the Kilkenny City Vintners Beginners Chase.
The market suggested all was not well with Dermot Weld's first reserve Lavender Mine in the opening Festival Maiden. Carrying the colours of the powerful John Magnier/Michael Tabor alliance, the daughter of Mr Prospector drifted from 1-2 out to a more generous to 2-1 but she duly obliged on her racecourse debut to provide the Rosewell House handler with his 80th success of the season.
Winning rider Pat Smullen, who is now 13 clear of John Murtagh in the championship race, was narrowly denied in the next aboard Weld's Beat The Heat when he was pipped in the dying stride by Kevin Prendergast's Musadaf and Stephen Craine.
Miles Byrne has proved a good servant to trainer Pat Sinnott's yard in recent weeks and under a determined ride from John Cullen he recorded his third consecutive victory over fences when defying top weight of twelve stone in the two mile handicap chase.
Brian Fleming
