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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Ask Vic takes the feature in good style

Sat 20th Sep 2014, 17:25

Ask Vic heads for the winning post in ListowelAsk Vic heads for the winning post in Listowel
© Photo Healy Racing

Handicap debutante Ask Vic passed the line on the bridle in the featured MJ Carroll ARRO Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles in Listowel, but that only tells half the story.

Fully six horses held valid chances turning for home approaching the second last hurdle. At this point Ask Vic raced in fifth. She wasn’t fluent at that obstacle, but Paul Townend switched her out to the stands side and asked for an effort at the last.

She was still fifth jumping it, but she flew it and landed full of running and as she quickly scooted past her rivals Townend was motionless as the line loomed. She justified 5/2 favouritism by a length and a half. Curragh Golan at 10/1 from 12s took a second-placed reward. It was another three parts of a length back to Brand Ambassador (13/2) in third.

Paul Townend said: “She did it well and she’s improving. She was plenty keen throughout the race with me so I allowed her to get her second breath turning in.

“We got in a bit of trouble turning in and they got a couple of lengths on me. When I switched out and got a clear run she winged the last and picked up smartly. Hopefully she’ll stay improving.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

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.