Independent Expert springs 25/1 surprise for Denis Hogan On her second start for the yard, the Denis Hogan trained Independent Expert caused a 25/1 upset when getting up close home under Joey Sheridan to win the Colm White Bookmaker Handicap at Naas. Leading from stalls, the James McAuley owned seven-year-old was headed after less than a furlong, with Sheridan content to take a lead from mid division. Making ground on the outside of runners once the race began to develop from over two-furlongs out, Independent Expert showed great resolve to get back up in the dying strides to beat Quatre Bras half-a-length. “I knew she’d love conditions. She had been running at Dundalk and she probably shouldn’t have been as she likes a cut in the ground,” said Hogan. “I wasn’t sure if she was fully revved up for today. She’s a filly that doesn’t carry much weight and takes no work to get ready. “You’ll probably see the best of her fresh but at the same time I didn’t know if she had enough done to be involved. “Joey gave her a lovely ride, he took her back and let them at it, and then she stayed on well. “A mile is probably better for her as well. “The boys are excellent at claiming, they don’t miss a beat and if there is any value they will take it. “They were very sweet on her, they said she just needed a freshen up and she’s obviously done well for the break. “She has been placed in some big handicaps and ran in Royal Ascot last year. We’ll make hay while the ground is soft. “It’s absolutely brilliant to get one in those colours for the week that’s been. “Obviously we lost Jim Gough who was buried last week. For Stephen and James McAuley it’s great for them to get a winner. “Jim has been a massive supporter of mine for the last number of years. We’ve had some great horses and we’re going to miss him dearly. The whole yard will miss him. “He’s been so good to us, buying horses and keeping us busy. There are ten in the yard at the minute. It would be great if it kept going, we’ll see. “He just loved the game and leading them in. As the lads said it wasn’t about the money, it was just about having winners. “He loved a day’s racing and he’ll be definitely missed in the yard.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
