Church Gate collects again in November

Almost 12 months after winning for the first time, The Church Gate made it two wins on the track when landing the last at Fairyhouse today.

Dunshaughlin jockey Keith Donoghue was on board the Matthew Smith-trained winner in a two-and-a-half mile handicap hurdle and won impressively 

Twelve monthas ago The Church Gate eventually collected a major pot at the14th attempt for Kilmessan trainer Matthew Smith in what was also the last race on the card, a handicap hurdle at Thurles on Thursday 30th November 2017.

Previous best efforts prior to that included two seconds and two thirds, but with Ashbourne jockey Andrew Lynch on board at the Tipperary track it was party time for the members of the aptly-named Poor Mans' Syndicate.

Form ahead of today's win included third place finishes on four occasions, but it appears that the last race at a venue in November is the key to The Church Gate.

Andrew Lynch was also on the mark when winning a handicap chase with Fr Humphrey while trainer Gordon Elliott had a double on the day.