Big and bold at the last, Follow The Sign under Shane Crimin© Photo Healy Racing
Oliver McKiernan may have been without a winner since February but his runners are profitable to follow at Wexford and the Rathcoole-based handler struck again at Bettyville when Follow The Sign landed the Loch Garman Handicap Hurdle.
The Old Vic gelding hadn't been seen in action since January but the handicapper had given the Shane Crimin-ridden six-year-old a chance and that fact wasn't lost on those who backed the winner from 15/2 into 5s on course and from bigger this morning.
Follow The Sign was never far away and a slight mistake at the third last did little to impede his momentum. Lindas Choice wasn't great when in front at the second last and Follow The Sign soon took over.
The McKiernan runner threw a big bold leap at the last on the way to a six length verdict over the favourite Dick Dundee
McKiernan, who recently lost a stable stalwart in Whodoyouthink, and saw his Lean Araig finish third in the opener here, said: "All our horses last season were a bit wrong and we left them off. We left most of them off in March and they didn't come in until August.
"I wasn't too sure coming here today whether he was fit enough to do himself justice. Anyway he done it and I'm happy with him.
"He jumps hurdles the way he should jump fences. Hopefully he will jump a fence some day and we will look for another handicap with him now. I'd say he'll be better on better ground.
"I think the horses are coming back to form now, they seem healthy." (DM & EM)
