Expound hangs on to claim another Ballinrobe win The feature event at Ballinrobe tonight produced a thrilling finish with Expound clinging on at the line to give Dylan O’Connor his second career success. Denis Hogan’s charge had won his maiden at the track last June and bounced out and made all tonight. He looked to have his rivals cooked turning for home but Molto Amichi finished off strongly in the straight and just failed by a nose to get up at the line. Expound, recording his fourth win, had been well-backed from 6/1 this morning into 10/3. Hogan said afterwards:- “It was anxious enough there and I thought we were nabbed to be honest. It generally favours the horse coming home. “He actually won in similar circumstances here before when just hanging on in a maiden, when Joey (Sheridan) rode him. “The claim was a massive help and he got to dictate on a tight track. I knew from a long way out that he was in pole position and he looked sweet. “In fairness to the young lad he gave him a lovely ride and got the breathers. He did everything we asked him to the letter really. “He’s good value for 10lb but he’s not going to get long out of the Flat. He can only claim off 9-7 so I’d say he’ll go jump racing next season. “It’s great for this syndicate (Corner House Syndicate). They are enthusiastic, they are very lucky for me and very loyal to me. They are with me with moderate horses and no good ones and they’ve hit on this lad in the last few years. Every day he runs he gets a few quid, he’s a fun horse.”
