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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Star springs shock in three-way photo

Sat 23rd Jul 2022, 16:06

Helmet Star (far side) beats Chicago Lightening (centre) and Barnhill RoseHelmet Star (far side) beats Chicago Lightening (centre) and Barnhill Rose
© Photo Healy Racing

40/1 shot Helmet Star just clung on to land the spoils in a thrilling three-way photo finish to the second division of the apprentice handicap at Gowran Park.

Danny Sheehy was soon in front on the John Larkin-trained filly but she was strongly pressed going to the furlong marker.

There were four almost in a line inside the final furlong, with Barnhill Rose challenging along with What Adaay and Chicago Lightening coming to press.

Three flashed past the post locked together and it was Helmet Star who emerged a short-head in front of Chicago Lightening with another short-head back to Barnhill Rose in third.

The winner had been mid-division on her most recent start at Fairyhouse and was leaving previous form well behind.

Larkin said:- “She should have finished third or fourth in Fairyouse the last day but the saddle slipped.

“Our runner in the previous race (Black Bridie) was working better and finished last. They were working together so I was a nervous wreck as I couldn’t understand how the last horse ran so bad.

“She handles the ground and is a grand little filly.

“The last winner I had for Sean (Maguire, from Newry) was in a hunters chase twenty years ago.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)

1st
40/1
Tote €87.70 €7.30
2nd
shd
7/1
€2.30
3rd
shd
3/1Fav
€1.30
4th
0.5L
5/1
€1.90
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.