First Listed race win for Tom Cleary

Athlone trainer Tom Cleary enjoyed his first Listed race success in Navan on Sunday.

Oh My Word came up trumps in the Irish Stallions EBF Future Champions INH Flat Race to give the Carrickobrien-based handler his debut win at Listed company.

Listed races are regarded in Class 1 of racing in Ireland, though just below Graded class. The Irish Stallions Future Champions Race has an impressive roll of honour with previous winners including Samcro, Envoi Allen and Sir Gerhard, who all won twice at the Cheltenham Festival.

The four-year-old gelding, owned by Seamus Ross, has been with Cleary since September and was hugely impressive with an eleven-lengths victory, following up a debut win at the same venue last month at 33/1.

Though the field on Sunday was only four-strong, Cleary said: “There was some good horses in that race.”

“He was showing improvement every day and anytime we took him away for a bit of work he was impressive,” said Cleary, “so we were confident enough going there.”

The victory prompted Paddy Power to price Oh My Word at 20/1 for the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival.

Asked if Prestbury Park was on the agenda, Tom said: “He’d be entitled to go for it.”

“It will be up to owner. I haven’t spoken to him about it yet,” he said, explaining that the owner was in the States at present.