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All-weathering hurdler wins 'as he likes' at Dundalk

Gaucher and Bill LeeGaucher and Bill Lee
© Healy Racing Photos

Willie Mullins’ Frankel-sired hurdler Gaucher (10/11f) posted a mini-Constitution Hill-like performance in impressively winning Dundalk’s Floodlit Fridays At Dundalk Stadium Race today, providing jockey Bill Lee with a double.

The triple Grade 3-winner has recently taken very well to today’s all-weather surface and having scored by six lengths in December, today dismissed stronger rivals when scoring by 5.5 lengths.

Lee, earlier successful on Eddie Lynam’s Iff In Doubt said "Gaucher gave me a great feel and they weren't going quick enough for me.

“He carried me everywhere, he picked up into the straight and I was able to afford to sit another 50 yards without going for everything. It was hands and heels then, and he won as he liked. He has a fair engine and kept going too, which is a real good sign.

“I had a look at the tele (on the infield) and thought I was only two or three lengths clear, but he was five or six ahead at the line, so it was a really good performance. He has plenty of pace and there was no bother there this evening. I told the owners (the Boyds) that 1m2f is no problem and is a good option to have."

Possible targets for Gaucher, who has no Cheltenham entries, include Newbury’s John Porter Stakes on April 18, where he could potentially meet recent Flat-convert Constitution Hill .

Quotes from Michael Graham

About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.