The Stephen Thorne-trained Laugh A Minute judged things perfectly to bag another opening day win at the Curragh.
Chris Hayes timed his run to pick off Big Gossey in the last 50 yards of the six-furlong Nua Healthcare Handicap but then had to hold the late rattle of Love Billy Boy by a neck at the line.
It was a first winner on the turf for Thorne and he said:- “He’s a marvellous horse and we knew there was plenty of life left in him. He’s dropped to a career low mark, and we had him ready today.
“We always use that Dundalk race as a nice prep run to blow off the cobwebs, and it’s better than three bits of work really.
“The fact they have moved this race from five furlongs to six just gave us a bit more of a chance as he’s not as speedy as he used to be, but he handles the ground wel,l and hopefully we’re in for a good spring with him.
“We started Shamrock Thoroughbreds about seven or eight years ago with one horse, and it’s grown incredibly. This has been a real flagship horse for many years.
“He likes to be nice and fresh. He’ll have a nice week off and we’ll see if there is something in about three or four weeks’ time.”
By Gary Carson, Irishracing.com; Quotes by Alan Magee