Tithonus sees them off in the Curragh© Photo Healy Racing
It has been a lucrative couple of weeks for Tithonus who followed up on his victory in the Rockingham with a success in the Tote Scurry Handicap at the Curragh.
Both were 100,000 euro handicaps and on both occasions Tithonus picked up 59,000 euro.
Similarly to the Rockingham, he made all and battled on well in the final furlong to fend off the closers.
He came home by half a length under Gary Halpin at 10/1. British raider Snap Shots came through for second at 7/1 while Celebration (7/1) and Ma Fee Heela (9/1) finished third and fourth respectively.
Trainer Denis Hogan said: "I thought he had a big chance. We came here for the Rockingham and I actually thought he would need it. I knew he was after improving. The step up to six was right and he was good and gutsy and is a brilliant horse to have.
"Gary is like a free 3lbs, he rides like a professional and he knows the horse well. It's unfortunate for Rory (Cleary) but he won on him the last day. They share the rides - Rory rides him when he's light and Gary takes off the few pounds after winning. He got 4lbs and we took off 3lbs so it worked out well.
"I imagine Galway is in the plans, it's another good pot. He is probably going to go seven furlongs there at the weekend. Hopefully he'll keep improving.
“I'd imagine he'll get an entry in the Ayr Gold Cup. He's 90 today and might end up in the Silver Cup.
“He was only up 4lb and it was reasonable enough for a head win the last day. He's a brilliant asset to me in the yard.
“The O'Briens, Tony and Mike, are with me from the start (T & M Racing Partnership). They are great supporters of mine and I couldn't be happier for them. The boys are dreaming of Dubai so hopefully he ends up there some day.
“Not too many horses have done the double in the Rockingham and Scurry and not too many of them have been placed in two maiden hurdles! He actually qualifies for a rating over hurdles and I'd imagine he's about a 100-rated hurdler.
“He's all guts and the blinds are just to give Gary a bit of help. He just does what he has to do. I put them on because at home he was only just going past 70 rated horses a length and then idling. They make a job of him. He doesn't have to have them but it's better not to chance not having them.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
