Hurricane Twister and Gary Phillips on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Hurricane Twister provided his trainer Victor Clifford (trains in Castlemartyr, Co Cork) with his track winner as he took the Follow Roscommon On Facebook Handicap at the odds of 22/1 under Gary Phillips
Wearing cheekpieces for the first time, the son of Captain Rio was sent off the outsider of the field however he made all the running and none of his better fancied rivals could peg him back as he went on to score by three and a quarter lengths.
Top weight Balrath Hope ran on to take second at 9/2 under Colin Keane for Gavin Cromwell while last year’s victor Winning Impact (4/1 favourite) could only manage third, a further five and a half lengths back for Jimmy Coogan and Sam James.
The winning 5yo chestnut gelding was recording his first success this afternoon on his thirteenth career start.
He finished last on his previous three outings but had some decent form before that finishing second on two occasions, in a maiden at Cork in June of last year and handicap at Tipperary in July also of last year.
Winning trainer Victor Clifford said afterwards: "It wasn’t a surprise to me. He is a notoriously difficult ride and Gary gave him a peach of a ride. Gary is apprentice to Ger Lyons and it is the first time I have used him.
"He will go to Gowran now on Friday and he might also run at Tipperary on Sunday. We will run away with him when he is fresh.
"I have my license over two years now and I’ve had ten point-to-point winners and a few seconds over jumps and on the level on the track but this is my first winner.
"I spent three years with Jim Bolger and I was also head lad to Tony Martin and Caroline Hutchinson.
"I have four horses at home at the moment but I am going to concentrate on the flat now and I’m looking at yards in the Curragh and Meath.
"I had a few orders to buy horses at Tattersalls and I would welcome more."
Hurricane Twister was purchased by Clifford at the Goffs December Flat Sale in 2008 for just €1,000 as a yearling.
After the race the Stewards interviewed Seamie Heffernan, rider of Ningaloo Reef concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of the race.
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found that Seamie Heffernan was in breach of Regulation 10 3 g, in that he used the whip with his arm above shoulder height and having considered his record in this regard, suspended him for three race days. Furthermore the rider was instructed to attend RACE for one day’s tuition on the use of the whip.
(On-course reporting by Thomas Weekes)
