Preparations Shows Good Attitude in Tramore

Preparations (4/1) took the Strand Inn Dunmore East Handicap at Tramore under Sam Coen. The daughter of Mastercraftsman was an eye-catching sixth on her last start in Ballinrobe, where she found trouble in running. In a hotly-run contest, Go Flo Jo set the fractions in front and appeared to wander off the bend about six furlongs out, which nearly took the winner down in what was another dramatic event, but she regained the lead, with stablemate Nathema happy to sit in second. The race changed complexion in the final furlong as Preparations shot to the front and lasted out to win by a length from Nathema. Brian said: "She was very unlucky to be carried out. "Sam was very good on her. He was very cool on her after it happened. He just let her get her own rhythm and get back into the race. He didn't panic going up the hill, he just waited until they got to the top and tried to creep back into it. "It was brilliant watching the finish. We didn't mind which one won! She will go back over hurdles as well. "We'll try find a similar contest to this one for the other mare." (Quotes from John O'Riordan)