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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Icee M B A placed to good effect by Hourigan

Mon 9th Aug 2021, 19:57

Icee M B A, right, jumps the last with Ocean GlandoreIcee M B A, right, jumps the last with Ocean Glandore
© Photo Healy Racing

Icee M B A successfully reverted to the lower obstacles to take the second division of the C.J. Sheeran Ltd Handicap Hurdle in Ballinrobe.

The six-year-old Yeats mare won a beginners' chase in Roscommon last week and was well placed by Michael Hourigan to take this hurdle race.

She picked up for Brian Hayes after the last to get the better of Ocean Glandore on the home bend. Father Jed kept her more than honest, though, as he came with a wet sail on the outer.

Icee M B A (2/1f) wasn't for passing and held on by half a length from the 20/1 runner-up. Ocean Glandore completed the placings in third at 20/1.

"She hadn’t done much since she ran the other day (at Roscommon)," Hourigan said.

“She swam every day, that’s all she did, and a little canter.

“She’s improving and she likes this sort of ground although I think she’ll go on bad ground as well. I thought it would be softer here today and that wouldn’t have worried me.

“Brian (Hayes) said she was better today than any time he’s ridden her before.

“She’s better over fences, I’d say. We’ll find something for her at Listowel. That’s the plan, anyway.”

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan

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.