Royal Shot and Denis Hogan© Photo Healy Racing
Gambled on when only managing ninth place at Roscommon nearly a fortnight back, Royal Shot (7/1) emerged to show his true colours in the Tote Trifecta Rollover Handicap Hurdle at Ballinrobe this evening.
His trainer/rider Denis Hogan frankly acknowledged afterwards: "Wrong day – it was meant to be the last day – I got it very wrong. I shouldn't have run him on the firm and he didn't let himself down in the straight.
"I really fancied him the last day and I didn't sleep well for a week afterwards.
"I thought I definitely couldn't be out of the three the last day but he done it well today.
"They weren't the best bunch in the world and at least he has a chance of going to Galway now on the Monday night.
"He's a nice horse. I was going okay down the back off a serious pace for what they were. I bought his full brother at the Derby Sale and I think I stole him at fifteen.
"The plan was to be second or third there the whole way but the speed of them – they wouldn't go that hard in a naught to one forty never mind a naught to ninety five.
"Lucky enough they came back."
Royal Shot is owned by a grouping – the Is That All Syndicate – that are local to Galway and after this very easy eight and a half length victory from Valours Minion, the King's Theatre gelding is likely to be a popular fancy next week.
Meanwhile favourite on this occasion, Jabus (3/1 into 9/4), who finished last, was reported to be blowing hard post race and to have made a respiratory noise.
R.C. Colgan, rider of Jabus, trained by Patrick Martin, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount travelled well for a circuit before stopping quickly.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Jabus, trained by Patrick Martin, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing very hard and making a respiratory noise post race.
(DM & EM)
