Sunday saw the start of the flat turf season in Ireland and Fozzy Stack got his training career off to the best possible start when Gino Severini landed the Palmerstown House Madrid Handicap at Naas.

Fozzy has taken over the licence this term after many years as assistant trainer, and Gino Severini also cemented a new partnership for Thomastown Castle with jockey Chris Hayes.

The Fastnet Rock gelding, owned by the New Pension Fund Syndicate, struck the front a furlong out in the seven-furlong event, and kept on well to win.

“It’s good to have that monkey off my back! He’d been working well, and has got stronger since last year. I always thought that he wanted better ground but he had been working well on grass a few times during the spring. He stays well and he could get a mile and a quarter.

“It’s good to have Chris. He has plenty of experience and Kevin (Prendergast) has been good and hopefully it works out well for everybody.

“We have about 60 horses this year, and half of those are two-year-olds. We have a good squad but only time will tell.” Fozzy Stack.

(www.irishracing.com)