Macs Legend captures Thurles Hunters Chase

Gerard Kelleher teamed up with Cork fellow native Michael O’Sullivan to take the Thurles Hunter Chase courtesy of Macs Legend.

The 12-year-old added a third hunters chase to his tally, having also been succusful in a total of six point-to-points, with two of those victories coming this season at Ballindenisk and Dromahane.

Sent off at 25/1, the Shane Prenderville-owned gelding was patiently ridden by O’Sullivan where he bided his time throughout the early stages of the three-mile contest as Mighty Stowaway and Wounded Warrior set a strong pace at the head of affairs. 

Samurai Cracker went to the front four-out and looked like the likely winner from this point onwards, however, O’Sullivan delivered Kelleher’s charge after jumping the penultimate fence, where he dug deep to get the better of a tired Samurai Cracker on the run-in.

"I didn't want to come here and killed my brother (Ger) for not going to Kildorrery next Sunday but he didn't even enter him - I thought he was out of his depth,” said Kelleher’s brother Mike afterward.

"I bought him for 500 euro. There was a syndicate in my home town of Macroom and Mary Hallahan was training him but the syndicate were getting rid of the horse and said 'do you want him' and I bought him for 500 euro.

"He was a maiden when I bought him and he has now won six point to points and three hunter chases. What a horse!"