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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Rose finally blooms for Harney

Thu 19th Mar 2015, 15:59

Killtilane Rose (left) is tackled by Akinspirit as 6/4f Rolling Rocket crashes out two from homeKilltilane Rose (left) is tackled by Akinspirit as 6/4f Rolling Rocket crashes out two from home
© Photo Healy Racing

Killtilane Rose rallied gamely to justify good support in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase at Thurles.

Bill Harney's mare had failed to score in 35 previous starts and despite some moderate efforts lately there was confidence behind her today as she was backed from 14/1 this morning into 5/1 on course.

Kevin Sexton sent her to the front at the last with a circuit to run and she skipped a few lengths clear going into the back straight.

She was headed by Akinspirit after the second last but battled back to lead at the final fence, where a good jump sealed matters for a five-and-a-half length victory.

"Her jumping put them under pressure and she deserved it," said the trainer's daughter Riona.

"She had been running on heavy ground and over 2m6f and had given up when taken on but the shorter distance and better ground helped today.

"This was about her tenth-last chance and she had been for sale but nobody wanted her!"

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)

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.