18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Art Of Payroll delights Hughes in Down Royal

Mon 1st May 2017, 16:39

Trainer Sandra Hughes with son Philip, mum Eileen and Art Of PayrollTrainer Sandra Hughes with son Philip, mum Eileen and Art Of Payroll
© Photo Healy Racing

Art Of Payroll saw off Winter Lion by a couple of lengths to land the beginners' chase in Down Royal.

He found plenty for Denis O'Regan to oblige at 5/2 with the runner-up a 5/1 chance. Rise Of An Empire the 2/1 favourite, couldn't go with the front two from the second last and came in third, a further 22 lengths away.

Sandra Hughes, who has announced that she will be leaving the training ranks soon, said: "It has been a long time coming for him as he has been up against some competition, but the ground is the key to him today and that's the best he's had.

"He's a real good ground horse, he wouldn't go on firm but the ground was lovely out there and it really suits him and he was very good.

"Denis gave him a great ride. He said he would sit third or fourth and I said his jumping would do the talking and that's what happened.

"He needs a little bit of time in between races, we'll find something for him. He's up to running in handicaps, he has enough experience."

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.