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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Discoteca calls the tune in opener

Sun 24th Jun 2012, 14:36

Discoteca and Davy Russell on the way to victoryDiscoteca and Davy Russell on the way to victory
© Photo Healy Racing

Discoteca was made to work to land the odds in the opening conditions hurdle at Gowran Park this afternoon.

Gordon Elliott 's charge was sent off 8/13 favourite in the two mile event largely due to the withdrawal of stable-mate His Excellency.

Davy Russell had the Gigginstown gelding prominent throughout and he took over from long-time leader Hurricane Season at the third last.

The Nayef gelding was joined by Casimir Road entering the straight and the pair settled down for a duel over the final two flights.

Discoteca was always just pulling out enough to hold off his rival and edged ahead in the closing stages to record a three-parts-of-a-length success.

50/1 shot Rodeo Rocket looked like getting into contention before the straight before finishing a commendable third.

The winner was scoring on ground softer than ideal, having triumphed on decent surfaces at Ballinrobe and Cork on his last two runs, and trainer Elliott said afterwards:-

"He does what he has to do and he's improving all the time. He wouldn't want it any softer than that.

"We'll see how he comes out of this before we decide where he goes next. He stays well and jumps well."

(On course reporting by Donal Murphy)

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.