Thari looks smart chasing recruit

Thari looked a smart recruit to steeplechasing when justifying favouritism on his return to action at Galway today in the Connacht Tribune Beginners Chase.

A smart staying novice hurdler last season, Thari was well backed from 5-4 to 4-5 and did not disappoint the champion combination of trainer Noel Meade and jockey Paul Carberry.

Carberry had the favourite coasting in second place behind Ballyconnell as they went clear in the closing stages and only had to let out a couple of inches of rein to allow the favourite go a length and a half clear well inside the final furlong.

“This horse has been schooling brilliantly at home and Paul was keen that we should go chasing rather than waiting another season over hurdles.

“He will have a few runs in the coming weeks and we will give him a quiet winter before resuming in the spring,” said Meade.

On ground that was riding soft after heavy showers in the previous two days, there was a surprise outcome to the Kenny Maiden Hurdle as 25-1 chance Lorenco Lad went clear after the last to beat the front-running Always Game with plenty to spare.

Tommy Tracy reported that the soft ground was ideal for Lorenco Lad, owned and bred in Gort, County Galway by Joseph Lee and a first winner under permit for his wife Hannah who has 10 in training.