Man About Town sets the record straight with narrow win

TOM TAAFFE, very much looking forward to throwing down the gauntlet to Beef Or Salmon with Kicking King in Saturday’s James Nicholson at Down Royal, was on the mark at Clonmel yesterday when Man About Town justified favouritism in the John Costigan Memorial Novice Hurdle.

The Fairyhouse bumper winner fell on his debut over flights at Punchestown last month, but set the record straight to give Barry Geraghty his first success since returning from injury. He made every yard of the running, but had to get the full Geraghty treatment on the run in to hold the late surge of Arc En Ciel, performing over a trip short of his best, by a fast diminishing half a length.

“I am delighted with his jumping”, said Taaffe. “He took a real tug, however, and has to grow up a bit. A winners of one at Cork on November 21 will now be considered.”