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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Bears battles to second Dundalk win

Fri 21st Oct 2022, 17:58

Bears Hug holds off his rivalsBears Hug holds off his rivals
© Photo Healy Racing

The Adrian Sexton-trained Bears Hug stuck his neck out gamely to hold on in the seven-furlong apprentice handicap at Dundalk for Scott McCullagh.

McCullagh went to the front after a furlong on the 17/2 shot but he was strongly pressed over a furlong from home.

The Kodi Bear gelding found plenty when asked and repelled the challenge of Cedar Rapids by a neck, with the fast finishing Tynamite just a short-head back in third.

It was a second career win for Bears Hug who had also scored here over six furlongs just over a year ago.

McCullagh said: "He's horse that runs better fresh. He has strengthened up since the last time I rode him.

"I got a freebie in front and he likes having a bit of room. He went through the motions lovely, quickened up and put his head down and he wanted to win, which is a help.

"I know the horse from Kevin Prendergast's, I rode him before and I've ridden him on a couple of occasions.

"Adrian was delighted with him and he kept him fresh. He said he probably needed the run but he popped up and I think he is a horse that probably needs to be fresh.

"It was a good performance and I don't think it will be the end of him, I think he still has a little bit up his sleeve."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)

1st
17/2
Tote €12.60 €3.40
2nd
nk
8/1
€3.20
3rd
shd
6/1
€1.90
4th
1.25L
15/2
bf
0.5L
10/3Fav
About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.