Pivot Bridge clears the last in Gowran Park© Photo Healy Racing
When the bookmakers went 8/1 co-favourites of four in a 20-runner handicap hurdle at Gowran Park it illustrated how tricky a betting heat the race won by Pivot Bridge (12/1) was.
The five-year-old son of Pivotal is trained by Ado McGuinness, who is more associated with flat horses. Indeed this gelding’s only previous win came on the flat in a mile and a half handicap at Leopardstown in June of last year.
Jockey David Splaine commented: “Ado was quietly confident beforehand. He travelled away well and he likes a cut in the ground. With a bit of luck there should be another day in him."
Pivot Bridge raced in second behind front-running Billybuster It looked like he had Billybuster’s number upon jumping the last, but the eight-year-old fought back well on the inside after being headed. Splaine got Pivot Bridge home by half a length.
Billybuster (12/1) had been 20/1 this morning and was backed in from 16s in the betting ring.
Back from the battle for first was Charging Indian in third at 14/1, beaten seven and a half lengths in total. One of the 8/1 co-favourites – Roman Numeral – gave his backers a place payout in fourth.
The winner paid €17.50 on the Tote.
Additional reporting by Donal Murphy
