McAuley back with a winner through Shoot To Kill Shoot To Kill made a winning start to life with Denis Hogan in the optional claimer at Gowran Park. He had been performing consistently well for Stephen Thorne before being claimed by (former trainer) James McAuley who sent him to Hogan after a runner-up berth in an optional claimer at Killarney. Joey Sheridan had him tracking the pace throughout and the pair travelled strongly into the home straight. They hit the front a furlong and a-half down and kept on well in the final furlong to take the honours by two and a-quarter lengths at 13/2. Harry The Rogue, the 10/3 favourite, was best of the rest and was a neck in front of Glamorously Glam (14/1). Owner McAuley said: “That’s great. We had taken a break and we actually only decided about five or six weeks ago that we’d get a couple for Dundalk. “We tried to get the first and second from the claimer (in Killarney) and the lad (Catena Zapata) that won that claimer down there won over hurdles (in Downpatrick) the other day as well. “If nothing else, the eye is still working on the claimers! “It’s great to get him started, we’ll probably get four or five horses and let Denis tip away with them. “If we go over that number, I could end up training and that’s definitely not on my agenda! “We always had great success with Denis as well and this is a good start back.” This was the eight-year-old gelding's 12th career success for four different trainers. Noel Kelly claimed Shoot To Kill while Ciaran O'Toole claimed unplaced Kaptain Bay to be trained by Noel Meade. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
