Expound follows up recent Flat win back over flights Having won on the Flat at Ballinrobe less than a week ago, the Denis Hogan trained Expound switched back to the jumps to run out a game winner of the Tote Guarantee Available On Course & Tote.ie Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel. Raised to a mark of 81 after that recent success, the six-year-old looked well handicapped back over hurdles off just 109 here. Sent straight to the front from flag fall by Daniel King, the 11/2 chance looked to be in trouble when Ballycashin threw down a strong challenge early in the straight. Having seen off the latter, Expound was then pressed by Miss Gherkin at the furlong pole. However, to his credit, the gelding found that bit extra inside the last 150 yards to stay on to score by one-and-three-quarter lengths. Denis Hogan said: "A lot of things were right for him today although we were lucky we had him entered before he won on the Flat at Ballinrobe. He likes good ground and the tracks which are usually good, or better. "He was allowed to dictate, Dan (King) was able to get a 'fill' and used pole position well. "I knew the owners the Corner House Syndicate would all be here as they are local in Tallow and they have been getting a great kick out of the horse. "Before today, I had asked Dan would he jump a fence as he could run in restricted beginners' chases and he could fit the bill for those races during the summer. He could also mix it between the Flat although is rated 81, so it won't get any easier." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
