Seamster impresses at Laytown

Trainer Richard Ford enjoyed an afternoon to remember as his British raider Seamster claimed victory on the beach at Laytown in glorious sunshine.

Seamster was a 3-1 favourite for the Tote Mobile Betting Handicap in the hands of Colin Keane and having raced prominently from flag-fall, he ran all the way to the line to score by a length and three-quarters from Doonard Prince.

“We’ve had this in mind for a little while and Philip (Bamford) is a very sporting owner,” said Ford. “It’s a bit strange as your turf mark here is what you run off on the beach. He’s 15lb lower on turf than the all-weather in Britain but he got a compromise mark here of 10lb lower.

“I was a bit worried that he was not allowed to wear blinkers as he’s worn them about 26 times but was hoping that the weight advantage would compensate for not having the blinkers.”

Ford also saddled My Son Max in the Barry Matthews Appreciation Society Qualified Riders Handicap, but he could only manage a creditable fourth in the hands of Katie Walsh as Pat Shanahan’s 12-1 shot Prince Jock claimed top honours.

Joseph O’Brien rode his first winner on the beach as Gordon Elliott’s popular 9-4 market-leader Sister Slew got the job done comprehensively in the Marquees Nationwide Claiming Race.

“It’s something different and it’s nice to ride a winner here. Gordon was quite confident she would win today and he was spot on,” said O’Brien.

“In fairness to her she stuck it out to the line.”

O’Brien revealed afterwards that Tramore is now the only track where he has yet to partner a winner at in Ireland.