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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Treble up for Walsh as Oscar proves Gallant

Sun 12th Jan 2014, 14:43

Gallant Oscar (nearest) heads Drive On Locky at the lastGallant Oscar (nearest) heads Drive On Locky at the last
© Photo Healy Racing

Ruby Walsh recorded a treble at Navan as Gallant Oscar held a late renewed challenged from Drive On Locky to prevail in a thrilling finish to the Meath Handicap Hurdle.

Drive On Locky had headed long-time leader Memories Of Milan before the final flight but was claimed over the last by Gallant Oscar.

He rallied to push the eventual winner hard on the run-in and only a head separated the pair at the line.

The Tony Martin-trained gelding had attracted support from 11/4 this morning and was sent off 7/4 favourite on track.

“He had a good run the last day and improved off it,” said Martin.

“We got him around August time and he's had a few hiccups. I thought he wanted further but looking at that you wouldn't think so.

“He probably got there a bit early but he stuck his neck out and held on well.”

Martin also had news about a couple of his stable stars:- “Benefficient will get a entry in both the Champion Chase and Ryanair. I doubt he'll run between now and Cheltenham.

“We'll have a look at the races closer to the time and also see what the ground is like.

“Bog Warrior had a problem with a near joint but he's done a few bits of fast work now. “We might get a run into him next month. He's a horse that has to have soft ground.”

The 13-year-old Mick The Man ran a cracker in the race, to finish third, having been off the track for 1,414 days. Shane Hassett, rider of runner-up Drive On Locky, carried a pound overweight.

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)

1st
7/4Fav
Tote €3.40 €1.30
2nd
hd
7/1
€2.00
3rd
12L
25/1
€7.60
4th
2.75L
14/1
€2.40
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.