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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Surrogate Lad comes good on handicap debut

Thu 30th Nov 2017, 13:51

Surrogate Lad (Donagh Meyler) leads over the lastSurrogate Lad (Donagh Meyler) leads over the last
© Photo Healy Racing

Surrogate Lad left three modest chase outings last term well behind when making a successful switch to handicaps in the www.thurlesraces.ie Handicap Chase.

The Tony Martin-trained gelding was beaten an aggregate of over 360 lengths in those three outings and not surprisingly started here off a basement mark of just 77.

However he attracted interest at 14/1 in morning price lists, and was sent off at half those odds in this 2m2f event.

Donagh Meyler gave the six-year-old a patient ride, and produced his mount to lead approaching the final fence before drawing clear on the run-in.

The son of Flemensfirth, who holds a couple of entries in a handicap chase and a maiden hurdle at Clonmel next Thursday, stayed on well to beat Fiddlers Bow by six and a half lengths. Hard Bought could find no extra from before the last to finish another seven lengths away in third.

Meyler said, "He was a bit sick last year but was showing bits of form at home recently and is after turning the corner. He jumped well, travelled great and it was a long time since his last run and he'll come on from it."

(TW & AM)

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.