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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Gamble landed with Whatsavailable

Sat 3rd Dec 2022, 15:46

Whatsavailable jumps the last well on his way to victoryWhatsavailable jumps the last well on his way to victory
© Photo Healy Racing

Whatsavailable brought up a significant gamble when taking the Kevin Sheedy Raceday 17 Dec Handicap Hurdle.

Mouse Morris' Saddle Maker gelding contracted to 5/1 from a general 16/1, and as big as 18/1, this morning and further market support saw him sent off at 11/4 in the first-time tongue-tie.

He raced close to the pace, but came off the bridle before two out as a host of horses held chances. At that flight, Explosive Boy (13/8f) had closed travelling well but he took a plunging fall.

Wahtsavailable was toughing it out for Darragh O'Keeffe and a good jump in the lead at the last went a long way to sealing victory.

He was driven out to prevail by three lengths from Flying Scotsman (15/2). Viceregent was just behind him in third at 6/1.

Morris said: “I thought he’d make a lovely chaser and he’d two very disappointing runs. I then ran him back over hurdles and he didn’t seem to get home so we said we’d try a tongue tie today and it seems to have worked.

“He won here before, so he obviously likes the track and he jumped well today.

“He’s grand at home but gets very worked up when he comes racing so we put the red hood on him before the race.

“I’m not sure if he’s still qualified for the novice races for another week or two so we might find something.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.