Gunner strikes as Hughes bags a second success Co Dublin-based Cian Hughes trained his second racecourse winner today, as Thompson Gunner (16/5f) gained an overdue first success in Dundalk’s concluding Friday Night Lights Return To Dundalk Handicap (Div II). Runner-up twice previously from unsuccessful 15 starts, the five-year-old son of Highland Reel today tried first-time blinkers and having raced with the pace under Patrick McGettigan, held on to beat faster-finishing Storm Eric by a half-length. Hughes, whose previous success came at today’s venue in February, reported "we have around 20 horses for breaking, pre-training and everything like that, and had a point-to-point winner last Saturday in Tinahely. "I’m delighted as he deserved to win a race and am delighted for Danny (Coogan, owner) who also bred the horse. Danny was loyal in keeping going as he had been running badly through the summer. He likes the all-weather, so hopefully he will win another one. "That is Patrick's first ride for me and we picked him to take the 7lb (claim) off because he is quite high in the handicap.” Quotes from Michael Graham
