Another for Holohan as Big Bill strikes for Melia Bellewstown’s Bluegrass Horse Feed Handicap over a mile resulted in victory for the Aidan Melia-trained Big Bill (4/1). Fifth on his seasonal debut at Down Royal on Monday, the Michelle Connolly-owned was dropping back in trip and travelled well in first-time headgear. He moved a couple of lengths clear over a furlong out, but was all out to hold the staying-on Arizona Star by half a length at the line. Reese Holohan, after partnering his 21st winner of the campaign, remarked "They (winners) are flying in at the minute, so long may it last. I'd like to thank everyone who has given me the opportunities and the rides. It has been a brilliant season so far. "It was a very good performance. He actually ran a cracker the last day as well - a mile and three probably stretched him a small bit, and just under a mile today and I was confident that he would be able to travel. "Everything worked out perfectly. The plan was to jump well and get on the rail just in behind the leader. Opened up nicely in the straight and came through them. "Travelled beautifully the whole way around, I was happy everywhere. I just got inside the '2' pole and the gap opened lovely and I just had to take it. I would have loved a lead for a bit longer. The race just kind of fell apart in front of me and he did it nicely in the end." On closing in at the top of the apprentice title race, he added: "We are always keeping one eye on it. If it works out for us, we will take it. If not, sure we have always next season to go again." Additional reporting by Michael Graham
