North Of Nashville © Photo Healy Racing
Jordan Gainford made it five winners in eight days since his return from injury when guiding North Of Nashville to a wide-margin victory in the concluding 3m1f handicap chase.
As per usual, gallant veteran Rudy Catrail went off in front but he was headed by the winner at the third-last. Room To Roam tried to go with Gainford's mount but was left behind from two out as the 8/1 chance coasted home by 14 lengths under the Kiltealy man.
After Stadium Talk the six-year-old was a second daughter of Soldier Of Fortune to win on the card. This was only her second start over racecourse fences and she raced off her hurdles mark of 93.
Brendan Walsh, representing winning trainer Colin Bowe, said: "I'm delighted for Leo McArdle who is from Castleblayney in Monaghan. He didn't travel down tonight but he has been really patient with her. He is a good, loyal owner and I'm delighted for him as he stuck by her.
"It was her first handicap chase tonight. She won a point-to-point well on debut and we thought that she was going to be a good lot smarter. She was second in a maiden hurdle but for some reason or another it just hasn't panned out the way we thought it would. She always threatened to do what she done this evening, but we don't have any reason why it's after taking so long. Thankfully she got her act together.
"Her dam was a good race mare and won eight times. She was an impressive winner of her point-to-point and Colin said he'd hold on to her, as he likes to race the odd good mare and that's what we thought she was going to be. Up until today she has been disappointing. It was a low grade race and in fairness the handicapper had given her a chance. There is no fancy plans, we will just try win another race with her. Maybe she will go back over hurdles and try to exploit her hurdles mark. She is rated something similar over hurdles but is probably a better chaser than she'll ever be a hurdler."
Quotes from Donal Murphy
