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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Talk on top again at Fairyhouse

Mon 1st Jan 2024, 14:09

Don't Talk and Danny Gilligan Don't Talk and Danny Gilligan
© Photo Healy Racing

Don't Talk bagged back-to-back wins at Fairyhouse when claiming the two-and-a-half mile handicap hurdle for Karl Thornton.

The Jukebox Jury gelding had scored over two miles at the track 16 days ago and went to post a 9/2 shot this afternoon.

Danny Gilligan produced his mount to claim front-runner Miss Oreo two from home and he stuck on well in the closing stages to post a length-and-three-quarters win.

Gilligan said afterwards:- “It was straightforward enough. The horse in front went on at a nice gallop.

“There was a little question mark if he would get the two-and-a-half today so I had that in the back of my mind.

“I would rather be going a stride slower than a stride quicker on that ground as well.

“I would maybe have preferred if a horse came with me to bring me to the leader but I had to go when I did.

“He got in tight to the last and was doing the bare minimum in front so hopefully there is another bit of improvement in him.”

Thornton later added:- “He did it well. Danny gave him a good ride and everything was straightforward, he seemed to improve from the last day. We thought he had.

“They get caught eventually (by the handicapper) but he's definitely improving and he jumps a fence well.

“The horses were sick all last year, we just tried to change things around a bit and everything seems healthy now. When they healthy you can make a plan but when they aren't you can't do anything.”

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.