Paddy turns back the clock in four-miler

The Tipperary Foxhounds point-to-point meeting at Lisronagh on Saturday afternoon brought new meaning to the phrase ‘marathon’ for the fixture saw some 175 horses participating on a 12-race card with proceedings drawing to a close at 7.45pm following a 2.30pm start.

The biggest cheer of the entire session was reserved for the 15-year-old veteran Risk It Paddy (10/1), trained by Patrick Gerard Ryan from Monard, who returned to a rapturous reception following his tenacious success in the four-mile open.

Risk It Paddy, winless since obliging in this same race in 2008 when it was staged over three miles, moved through to challenge favourite Ballyhampshire Man with three fences remaining. The eventual winner, partnered by Ryan’s girlfriend Jane Foley, asserted on the run to the 22nd and final fence to beat Ballyhampshire Man by a neck with a 12-length break to the third-placed Presenting Prince.