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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Hours lasts it out under strong Hand

Sat 20th Jan 2018, 14:41

Wee Small Hours and Danny Hand Wee Small Hours and Danny Hand
© Photo Healy Racing

Danny Hand shone on Wee Small Hours as the Dermot McLoughlin-trained gelding claimed the second two-and-a-half mile handicap hurdle on the card at Navan today.

The nine-year-old attracted support form 10/1 this morning and went to post a 6/1 shot having finished third at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day.

Hand chased leader Black Ice before hitting the front at the fourth last. He poached a few lengths before the straight and had his rivals on the stretch over the third last.

It looked all over as his mount went clear before the final flight but he did get tired on the run-in and needed strong driving close home to record a two-and-a-half length success. Swingbridge plugged on to claim second while Carrigeen Acebo ran on to take third place.

“He can be a bit keen but we knew he stayed three miles so we said we might as well let him go on. The last 50 yards was a struggle but they are tired horses,” said McLoughlin.

“Michael Rice (owner/breeder) is a timber merchant from Dundalk.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)

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.