Oneknightmoreihope and Jack Gilligan (right) are nicely clear jumping the last© Photo Healy Racing
The Lawlor’s Of Naas Handicap Hurdle went to the 3/1 favourite Oneknightmoreihope for Spancilhill, Co. Clare owner-trainer Noel Glynn.
The Sholokhov gelding, had been runner-up in two of his previous three starts in handicaps and, after coming through between horses to lead two out, he went away for a comfortable nine length win form Memory Of Youth (20/1).
The frame was completed by Saddler’s Cottage (50/1) and She’s Commanche (10/3).
7lb claimer Jack Gilligan partnered the winner, taking over from his brother Liam who had received a ten day suspension after riding the winner into second place behind Ballyshannon Rose last time out at Limerick. The stewards on that occasion were of the opinion that the rider had not been seen to make “timely, real and substantial efforts" to ensure that the horse achieved its best possible placing.
Winning trainer Glynn commented: “That lad’s brother (Liam Gilligan) got ten days below in Limerick for stopping that horse and I showed them my bets. I fancied him the last day as much as I fancied him today.
“He couldn’t ride him today because his appeal was on at the same time. Jack (Gilligan)was a good substitute, he did it well.
“The cheekpieces made a difference. He was impressive.
“The dam is a half-sister to the dam of One Knight (won the RSA Chase in 2003 under Richard Johnson, beating Jair Du Cochet and Jacques Ricou) so that’s where the name came from.
“He’ll run over the Christmas.”
Not a fan of conciseness when it comes to naming his horses, Glynn’s previous winner had come in May 2018 when Mabeywhoknowsmabey won a hunter chase at Tipperary.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
