Our Zebo wins the Anne Valley Walk Handicap hurdle at Tramore

Prove Yourself, who had shown promise in bumpers, got off the mark over hurdles at the first time of asking when taking the Ladies’ Day August 16 Maiden Hurdle.

Mon, 14 Apr, 2025 - 20:11

Tommy Lyons

This two-day meeting in Tramore has been particularly kind to Alex Harvey, who rode a double here on Sunday and added another on his Student Race Day when guiding Our Zebo to victory in the Anne Valley Walk Handicap Hurdle.

Trained in Co Derry by Noel Kelly, the grey appreciated the patient ride from Harvey, who delivered him to challenge coming down the hill for the final time before pushing him clear close home.

“I’d never ridden a winner here before yesterday,” said a delighted Harvey. “He had been a frustrating horse, as he has a lot of ability. He won a five-year-olds’ point to point but had shown nothing (on the track) until his last run.

“We rode him cold and gave him every chance to enjoy himself that day, and he did. That seemed to sweeten him up for today. They went a good gallop, and I was able to take my time, and once I got rolling down the hill, he started to pick up for me, and he won well.”

Explaining his connection to the winning trainer, Harvey, who is based with John McConnell in Co Meath, said. “I go up to Noel’s one day a week, so it’ s great to get a winner for him.” Tiernan Power Roche, who leads the conditional jockeys’ title race, pulled two clear of John Shinnick after riding the Cian Collins-trained Must Meet Cecil to victory in the opening race, the Tramore Claiming Hurdle.

However, there was a sting in the tail for the winning rider. His mount veered left after the final flight, and carried favourite Darkened with him and while there was no alteration to the result, the winning rider was given an eight-day suspension for careless riding, as this was his third offence. Those days could see him ruled out of the Punchestown festival, at the end of which all championships are decided.

Prove Yourself, who had shown promise in bumpers, got off the mark over hurdles at the first time of asking when taking the Ladies’ Day August 16 Maiden Hurdle. Given a cool ride by Donagh Meyler, the Ross O’Sullivan-trained six-year-old was ridden to take the lead going to the last, after which he picked up best to win going away.

Star Official ran out a wide-margin winner of the Copper Coast Handicap Hurdle for trainer Dick Donohoe and jockey Danny Mullins.

“Dick said he was quite disappointed with the run at Naas,” said Mullins. “I thought it was okay, but Dick thought that coming here he was in good nick, and he got it spot-on.

“Dick is a great trainer that I get to ride for, and I ride winners for him every year. He’s been a very consistent type, and hopefully the handicapper won’t give him too much for today. He’s also run on the Flat, so I’d say Dick will explore that option too.” The winning trainer mentioned that his charge could also be sent over fences in the not-too-distant future.

Pipers Boreen got off the mark over fences with a decent display in the Tramore Promenade Beginners’ Chase. Conor Stone-Walsh, riding for Shane Nolan, was never far off the pace, and his mount found plenty for pressure to see off Beggars Rock.

Co Galway trainer Darren Collins was on the mark when Island Mccoo caused something of an upset in the West Waterford Handicap Chase. The lightly raced eight-year-old was a long way off the pace early but travelled sweetly to get into contention and then found more than chief rival Wyoming Baby when push came to shove.

The finale was the Gaultier Hunters’ Chase and the senior member of the field, the 12-year-old Ta Se Rua, showed his younger rivals the way home thanks to a fine ride by Andrew Burke-Ott.

“The way he ran in Thurles, Gordon’s horse (Last Round) was just three lengths in front of him, and I figured he wouldn’t be far away from him today,” said winning trainer Pat Healy.

“He didn’t really get the three miles and a furlong that day, so I was hoping the two miles, five and a half furlongs would suit him a bit better.

“I have had him since he was a foal, and he’s a grand horse. All the gang in the yard ride him. It was a bit unlucky for Evan Daly, who would have been riding him but was one ride short to ride in this race. Andrew gave him a super ride. He’s great value for his 7lbs.” Healy, who doesn’t run too many inside the rails, recalled: “I once ran four horses at the New Year’s meeting here, and they all finished second.” This was a long overdue and much-deserved change of luck.