Frankie makes winning debut over fences

Frankie John stayed on stoutly in the closing stages to make a winning start over fences in the Latin Quarter Beginners Chase at Galway, for trainer Denis Hogan.

Dan King tracked front-runner Eclipse Chaser in the two-mile-two contest and went on from that rival after the last fence.

He was tackled by My Great Mate and Bowensonfire early in the straight but the 15/8 shot found plenty in the closing stages to post a convincing three-length success over the latter.

Frankie John was adding to a bumper, hurdle and point-to-point success. He had also been Grade 3 placed over timber and fourth in top level company at Aintree.

"When the phone rang to say this horse would be sent back (having sold for 275,000 pounds in December 2024), I wasn't worried. Normally I would be, but when I said it to John (Mahon, owner) that the horse didn't have any major problem, he said he'd keep him,” said Hogan.

"We've had offers in the last year but every time I've rang John, he said not to ring anymore unless that they have X amount. In the end, I gave up ringing him back."

Mahon added: "I'm based in New York, I'm home for the races and my birthday is this week! It is fantastic to have this horse, Denis initially picked him out for us and while he was supposed to be sold, we got him back and here we are.

"The horse is called after my grandchild and I'm coming racing all my life. We had Oh Cecelia win here 35 years ago, for the late Francis Flood.

"I'm in the bar business in the states and have 14 bars in America, and two in Dublin.

“Langans in New York is my most famous, and having once been asked to leave Langan's of London, I said my next bar to open would get that name!"

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)