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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Griffin mare makes big Splash on return

Tue 21st Nov 2023, 14:07

Splashing Out and Peter Smithers Splashing Out and Peter Smithers
© Photo Healy Racing

Splashing Out scooted clear before the last to run out a cosy winner of the mares handicap hurdle at Limerick for trainer Eoin Griffin.

The JP McManus-owned Walk In The Park filly went to post an 18/5 shot in the two-miler and was produced to challenge turning for home by Peter Smithers.

She gained a narrow advantage over the penultimate flight and kicked clear before the last. Smithers only had to shake his mount up on the run-in as she went on to score by seven lengths.

The winner, who traded 11/2 this morning, was returning from a short break having been fourth at Tipperary in early July.

"I'm delighted to start the season with her like that. She had been a small bit frustrating last season and while she had a couple of nice runs, she never got there,” said Griffin.

"She had been a little immature mentally but the cheekpieces helped.

"She had a good run here last winter on heavy ground so had no worries about the ground although it was her first run of the season.

"We'll see what the handicapper does - last year he had her mark but if she gets a fair penalty, she might hopefully win again.

"That was Peter's first ride for me, Gary Cribbin his agent suggested him to me and he gave her a nice ride and filled her with confidence the whole way around."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.