Patience pays off with Sand Sky And Sand stayed on best in the Holden Fleet Handicap Hurdle at Gowran Park to score for Ross O’Sullivan. The Westerner gelding had been fifth on his handicap debut at Fairyhouse a fortnight ago and attracted some support today, going to post 13/2 having been 10/1 this morning. He was produce to challenge two from home Danny Gilligan and got on top over the last to secure a length-and-a-quarter win in the two-and-a-half mile contest. "We bought him from Jonathan and Mikey Fogarty after he point-to-pointed  for them and they recommended him.  He was such a big horse and took time,” said O’Sullivan. "He ran such a shocker on his first day back this season that we were left dumbfounded afterwards but we put a line through it and he improved a hell of a lot on his latest run. “He stepped forward again today and he handled the ground - that was the key. He is a fine, big strong horse who will jump a fence as well.  "I approached Gary (Finlay from Naas) about buying the horse and he put a syndicate together. “I'm delighted he has won for the lads especially after his poor run in early February, and we always thought he could do something like this." (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
