Scouting Party jumps the last under Keith Donoghue from Court Knee (nearest) in second© Photo Healy Racing
Gillian Callaghan gets a good tune out of her small string of horses and on just his second start for the Co Meath handler Scouting Party landed some early morning bets, as he took the Clonoulty Handicap Hurdle under Keith Donoghue.
The Germany bred 9yo son of Acatenango opened at 9/1 this morning with Paddy Powers but that price was quickly snapped up and he opened on track at just 6/1, the price he went off at.
Having won his bumper for Liam McAteer and a Novice Chase for Michael Mulvany, the bay gelding is now on his third trainer.
He finished a decent fourth on his debut for Callaghan at Limerick last month in the race won by Mr Shankly and he raced in mid-division for much of todays contest, before making headway four out.
He was ridden into second entering the straight, hit the front before the last and kept on well on the run-in to win by four lengths.
The 5/1 joint favourite (was 7/1 this morning) Court Knee attempted to make all under Andrew Lynch (deputising for Davy Russell) but she could offer no more when headed and had to settle for second for her trainer Jim Culloty.
The front duo went six lengths clear of the third who was the other 5/1 joint favourite Preswell Lad for Michael and Mikey Butler while Baby's Hot completed the placings half a length back in fourth under Mark Enright for Dessie Hughes at 7/1.
Gillian Callaghan said afterwards: "He lost his confidence over fences. Ideally he is a chaser and hopefully he will get his confidence back over fences. The better ground helped and he showed a lot of pace on it."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
