Longclaw wins going away© Photo Healy Racing
Longclaw popped up at 50/1 on his second start for Pat Murphy in the extended mile and a-half handicap at Ballinrobe.
The six-year-old gelding is on his seventh trainer having been with Gordon Elliott (won three times over hurdles), Brad Cox for a run in America, John McConnell, Matthew Smith, Noel Kelly and most recently, Kevin Frost in Britain.
He made headway for Gavin Ryan to chase 100/1 shot Summer Fly into the straight and collared her inside the final furlong. He won going away by two and a-half lengths from the runner-up. Sign From Above the 15/8 favourite, was placed in third, beaten five lengths by the winner.
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Murphy said: “When he was dropped out in England he seemed to lose interest, and a mile and two was probably too quick for him the last day.
“I thought with the tight track and, if we got him to jump out and go forward, he could be in with a squeak.
“He was second three times before Christmas and then disappointed and we were still figuring him out. These older geldings sometimes get their own ideas, but he was true and honest today.
“It’s a nice pot to pick up. We’ll see what the handicapper does and we might go back over hurdles with him.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
