Zoffanien won for Denis Hogan © Photo Healy Racing
Zoffanien easily justified a morning plunge when running out an impressive winner of the Oyster Tavern Handicap Hurdle at Killarney.
Available at 14-1 early doors, the Denis Hogan trained gelding was half those odds before racing got underway this evening, before being backed into 5-2 f at the off.
A dual winner in four-year-old hurdles last term, he had lost his way somewhat but had clearly been showing the right signs at home in the build-up to this race.
Held up by his trainer/rider in the initial stages, the Liam Mulryan owned horse made ground early in the straight, before taking over at the last hurdle. He quickened away on the run-in to win with something in hand.
Denis Hogan said; "the ride wasn't by design as I lost my position but it worked out well. He is a bit lairy but it is a big drop in grade for him. He had been running terribly all winter and we gave him a freshen up recently. He was a good juvenile but they get killed by the handicapper and was a victim of his own success. He paid the penalty for the last year and a half.
"I said to Liam (Mulryan) about riding him colder and he has been working really well. I haven't seen Liam at a racecourse for 10 years so when I saw him today I knew he fancied him too.
"I'm delighted for him as he has been a loyal supporter since I started training. He always has two or three in training with me and I enjoy talking to him regularly on the phone.
"Originally the plan was to go Galway but it was Liam who made this plan - he said 'everyone wants to go to Galway but Killarney would do me'."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
