Hungry Tiger and Darragh O Keeffe © Photo Healy Racing
Apparent second-string Hungry Tiger landed a gamble at Tipperary today, as the Patrick Griffin trained gelding provided jockey Darragh O'Keeffe with a double in the Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Handicap Chase.
Unplaced in 11 previous racecourse runs and generally 16/1 this morning, the son of Morozov was returned 11/2, and in the race went clear in the straight to beat Just A Normal Day by four and a quarter lengths.
Trainer Griffin also ran 4/1 favourite and sixth-placed Give Me A Moment and afterwards his son James Griffin revealed “we don't like running two in the same race but the programme book is nothing short of diabolical. If we didn't run today, there was nothing for him for a month.”
He added “I bought him sight-unseen after Mark McDonagh recommended him and Donie Hassett (previous trainer) said he'd do a job and was right. The trip the last day (2m6f) didn't suit.
“We'll take every one that comes and it is just a pity as Adam Short, who got a knock, should have been on him and will get back on him.
“The Plumbers & Oil Rig Partnership are Aberdeen based and owned Chitu (six-time winner) with me. Because of covid they haven't been able to get over and have never seen this horse. They took my word on it, they're sound and backed him in sterling which is even better.”
Jockey O'Keeffe was earlier successful int he opening chase with the Henry De Bromhead trained Havingagoodtime
