THE facile success of Getzie (10/1) in the older geldings’ maiden for novice riders proved to be due rewards for his handler Claire O’Connell, with the Ashbourne-based handler enduring an eventful day in order to reach the venue.

“We nearly didn’t make it as we got a puncture on the way down and were stuck at the Maxol garage beside Goffs. We had to take him out of the box and walk him around for 40 minutes because we couldn’t get the spare tyre off the box. My husband had to come from Ashbourne with a spare tyre for us,” explained O’Connell after witnessing Paul Bannon guide the Kalanisi gelding to a 12-length success over Tattersalls Farm runner-up Icy Inferno.