There were huge Laois celebrations in Ballybrit yesterday as a Laois owned horse got up to win a valuable race.
Strong Link completed a hat-trick of victorious as he took the Guinness Novice Hurdle on Thursday.
At odds of 5/2, the horse took the €13,000 first prize for owner John Rowney from Clonaslee.
In a thrilling finish, the horse jumped the last a couple of lengths behind Paul Townend’s Cameletta Vega but got the better of him up the running rail before the line.
John, who is a selector with the Clonaslee-St Manman’s hurlers, was no doubt celebrating on the double last night after their great victory over Rathdowney-Errill in the Premier Intermediate championship.
He said: “We are absolutely over the moon with that win.
“It was always the plan to come to Galway and try to have a winner so we are delighted.
“I had to miss the Clonaslee-St Manman’s match to come this but thankfully they had the second win of the night in those colours.
“I’d also like to thank Ross O’Sullivan who is not only a brilliant trainer but has become a personal friend.
“We will have mighty craic in Clonaslee now over the weekend.”
Strong Link was ridden by Donagh Meyler who had originally won the prestigious Galway Hurdle just before this race.
However, stewards adjudging that his mount, Helvic Dream, had impeded Ndaawi and the places were swapped.
Speaking to IrishRacing.com, trainer O’Sullivan paid tribute to the mentality of the jockey.
He said: “Donagh was very low in the ring beforehand so what do you say to him, but he said ‘it’s done now – next race’.
“Mentally to lose a Galway Hurdle but to come back out and give that horse the ride that he did, to have the confidence to slip up Paul Townend’s inner, is the sign of a really good sportsman.”
O’Sullivan also indicated that Strong Link’s campaign may not be over just yet.
He said: “He is a lovely horse to have and he came well recommended when we bought him from Jamie Codd (brother-in-law).
“He is a deceiving horse through his races as you have to know him, so I had a chat with Donagh beforehand.
“At no stage in the race did he ever think he was going anywhere and for some reason, the further he goes he starts to come on the bridle.
“We didn’t work that out until he won his bumper which might have cost him prior to that.
“After last year’s festival (having four winners), there was loads of pressure and there was talk of Galway for the past month.
“I thought it wouldn’t happen but to get a winner out of it is so hard and we’re absolutely delighted.
“He wants nice ground and won’t run in the depths of winter so we’ll continue on and he could go to the October or November meeting in Cheltenham.”
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