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Faceman bounces back over timber

Faceman (right)Faceman (right)
© Healy Racing Photos

Faceman just held on at the line to land the spoils in the Winning Post Service Station Handicap Hurdle at Kilbeggan.

The Harry Kelly-trained gelding was to the fore throughout in the three-miler and was a clear leader away from the second-last.

He was strongly pressed in the closing stages, however ,and only had a neck to spare at the line as Mystic Malina finished off strongly.

“It was a toss of a coin whether we’d go for this or the chase today,” said Kelly.

“He was unlucky the last day (fell in Tramore). He was jumping great, but just reached for a fence and it was one of those things. Thankfully he was okay after it.

“We wanted to see where we were, if we had improved over hurdles. This family improves with time and you don’t really know at home as he only shows x amount.

“I’m delighted for the lads (John and Michael Bowe), they are great supporters of mine and we’re having great luck together.

“He’s a lovely horse to have anything to do with and of course he’s out of the great mare (Solerina).

“I’d say he’ll mix and match it during the summer.”

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.