WICKLOW veterinary surgeon Michael O’Toole may have had to endure a 3am start to the day, but the pain was eased when he racked up his second win of the day in the opening ISH class for seven- and eight-year-olds (EI 115). Riding First Obama, a horse bought from his breeders as a three-year-old, O’Toole won on his first phase mark of 28.2.

“The early mornings don’t get any easier, but I haven’t won for a bit so I’ll take this on a roll!” he said. The Diarado-sired gelding, who was bred by Michael Kelly in Co Clare and sourced through Martin Walsh, is not over big, but has great potential. “I’m in no hurry with him. Happy to consolidate what I have.”