Gowran Park, Saturday 8th, 3:20
- Horse: Fierce Handy (5yo)
- Finishing Position: 4th
- SP: 8/1
- Trainer: Noel Meade
Having travelled and jumped well throughout the race in fourth, Mark Walsh began to make his move on Fierce Handy coming out of the dip towards the third last.
He was quickly upsides Los Blanco jumping the third last and seemed to be travelling well within himself coming to the second last, and looked set to play a major role in the finish.
However, when asked to go through the gears, his response wasn’t immediate, and he lost valuable time going to the last. Jumping the he was eight lengths off the battling top three, but he kept on well all the way to the line for a clear fourth.
That was only the fourth career start for Fierce Handy, and with a step up on distance set to be on the card, he should be more than capable of winning a handicap off 109.
Naas, Sunday 9th, 12:50
- Horse: Rusty Harkness (5yo)
- Finishing Position: 5th
- SP: 5/1
- Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
In a race that was over from the third flight, with the eventual first and second pulling miles clear of the rest of the field, it was then always going to be a race to see what was happening behind the front two.
There were a few that caught the eye late on, but none more so than the Henry de Bromheads, Rusty Harkness.
The 5-year-old son of Walk In The Park was having his first career start, and despite finishing 27 lengths off the winner, he put in a very encouraging display.
He sat in a distant fourth place for the vast majority of the race, and a few novice jumps not helping his cause. He travelled away well in the race, and you could see him showing signs of greenness when coming off the bridle.
However, he kept on well until taking a blow between the second-last and last. He will come on fitness-wise and will have learned a lot from that experience. It will only be a matter of time before Rusty Harkness is winning races.
