Rockholm Boy's powerful final burst gives Hourigan his first Galway Plate
The winner was brilliantly handled by claimer Keith Hadnett, who was enjoying easily his biggest day in the saddle.
Commented a delighted Hadnett: “It’s a super feeling to win the Plate. He was on his head early on, but I gave him a chance down the back.
“I wasn’t sure if I was going to win early in the straight, I was just hoping to get there.’’
After Brilliant Star and Prince Of Pleasure enjoyed periods at the front, Wotsitoyaa went for glory heading to the second last.
But he pecked at the back of the obstacle and just how crucial that error was we will never know.
In any case Wotsitoyaa was all of three lengths to the good as the field swung to face the judge, but he quickly came under pressure and began to labour.
Hadnett seized his chance and drove Rockholm Boy, owned by the locally based three-man MGH Syndicate, clear half-way up the run in.
Said Hourigan: “I fancied him all along but was just a little worried he might have been a trifle short.
“I wanted to get a run into him over hurdles at Killarney, but didn’t. When I pulled him out this morning, however, he was on fire.
“Keith rode a smashing race, he did exactly what I told him. He will now head for the Kerry National at Listowel and we will pick up Tralee on the way.’’
Lowlander, caught late by Avena Sativa here on Monday night, made up for that defeat with a gutsy display to land the HP Software Publishing Services Handicap.
He had to dig deep, however, under a powerful ride from Fran Berry. Lowlander is set to go up 8lbs in future races, but certainly wouldn’t have won under such an impost.
Berry drove him for all he was worth through the final furlong to master the front-running Dr Knock and the flattering Near Dunleer.
Jimmy O’Neill represented trainer, John Oxx, and said: “It’s great to make amends for the other night. He’s a good, tough horse who is inclined to idle.
“I would think the Irish Cesarewitch would be the long-term plan.’’
Bookmakers got a screamer of a result in the HP Supercommuting Handicap when 33-1 shot Camargue, paid 167-1 on the tote, got the better of a sharp tussle with Top Star in the straight.
The four-year-old was a first ever winner, from just two runners, for Thurles handler Mark Loughnane who only took out a licence four weeks ago.
