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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Briar Hill opens account over fences

Sat 20th Aug 2016, 17:50

Briar Hill (Ruby Walsh) on his way to victory over Marinero and Buster Dan Dan (far side)Briar Hill (Ruby Walsh) on his way to victory over Marinero and Buster Dan Dan (far side)
© Photo Healy Racing

Briar Hill made a welcome return to the winners’ enclosure when landing the Frank Twiss Memorial Beginners Chase at Killarney.

The Shantou gelding was one of the stars of the Closutton team until suffering a serious facial injury when falling around halfway when the 2/1 favourite for the 2014 Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The eight-year-old was sent off the evens favourite for this 2m4f event having been just denied on his chasing debut at the Galway Festival.

Ruby Walsh sent him past the pace-setting Buster Dan Dan at the penultimate fence, and he was pushed out on the run-in to beat Marinero by two and three quarter lengths.

Walsh said, “He’d an awful fall in the Albert Bartlett, and it’s been a long road back. It’s great to get him back in the winners’ enclosure. It was a good gallop, and he stayed on well.”

About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.