Buckley picks up winning spare on Dunkerque Dunkerque successfully gave weight away in the O'Hare's Bar Maiden Hurdle that got Ballinrobe's card under way. This five-year-old gelding won twice on the Flat in his native Denmark back in 2023. He had his sixth National Hunt run for Gavin Cromwell this evening and was never far from the pace set by Annilogs Force. Our Girl Ellie took over after three out, but was swamped by rivals on the bend before the final flight. Dunkerque loomed large after two out and was sent on by Kieren Buckley just before the last. The 100/30 favourite kept on well along the run-in to fend off a staying-on Killian's Garden (8/1) by half a length. Rememberthename (40/1) was another four lengths adrift. Troy Cullen, joint owner and race planner, said: "Myself and Joey (brother) took a chance by purchasing the horse from Denmark and, since he has come over, has been finding his feet. He has run well on occasions, but was very green and seemed to be raw over here. In the last while he has come to himself, loves that ground so hopefully he'll keep improving." He added: "Joey knew a contact in Scandinavia, where this horse had won the Consolation Derby in Denmark and had been one of the favourites for the St Leger, but didn't run. He was a similar type to Lot of Joy (ex-Willie Mullins trained) and was rated about 90. "We have plenty of options with him and we'll go to Galway for a handicap hurdle now." This was a winning spare for Buckley as original jockey Keith Donoghue was unwell. Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
