Andrew McNamara’s perfect farewell

An otherwise run-of-the-mill meeting produced a very special moment at Tramore Racecourse last night as jockey Andrew McNamara, one of the true gentlemen of the weigh-room, bowed out aboard a winner on his final ride in the saddle.

The weight of expectation was aboard the broad shoulders of trainer Shark Hanlon, with whom McNamara has long been associated, and, having been given plenty of notice by the rider, he nominated Most Honourable as the right horse with which to bring the rider’s career to a conclusion.

Whether through astuteness or sentiment, the five-year-old was popular in the betting, and was eventually sent off a 5-1 chance.