Pat Martin goes close with final runner after 40 years training

It was close to being a fairytale ending for Pat Martin as his final runner Still She Blooms was beaten two lengths to bring the curtain down on a training career which spanned four decades.

Martin's first winner came the same year he took out his licence when Kasperova scored at Tipperary in May 1984, while the likes of Mary O'Malley, Alvo, Peru Girl and Breffni Boy were some of the flagship horses he sent out from his Navan stable. Indiana Gal was a dual Listed winner for the trainer in 2009.

A hugely popular and adept dual-purpose handler, Martin sent out 244 winners on the Flat and 76 winners over jumps in Ireland since 2000. Explorers Way will go down as his last winner after he landed a handicap at Down Royal last June under James Ryan.

Still She Blooms went close to giving him a fitting send-off after she finished third in the 7f handicap behind the David Marnane-trained Amemri.

Martin told Racing TV: "I've know in my head for maybe two months. I went over to Gavin Cromwell's to work a horse and I realised how good the big guys are. I have no regrets.

"Gavin asked me to come in. It has been an eye-opener and he is an exceptionally good trainer."

Thorne continues blistering start

Stephen Thorne continued his blistering start to training as he saddled the first two home in the feature 7f handicap with Jack Kearney steering Hightimeyouwon to victory by a length and a half over Volatile Analyst, justifying 13-8 favouritism and giving Thorne his ninth winner since taking out his licence in October.

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