18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

'Wins bar a fall' prediction comes true

Fri 12th Feb 2021, 17:40

Palace Rock and Gary CarrollPalace Rock and Gary Carroll
© Photo Healy Racing

“He'll win bar a fall” was jockey Gary Carroll's days-earlier prediction for Palace Rock s flat prospects at Dundalk today, as the pair indeed remained upright in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dundalk Maiden, to score for trainer Francis Casey.

The son of Battle Of Marengo finished well when second on his previous start in December and with Gary Carroll today taking the ride today, having worked Palace Rock in recent days, the pair (returned 11/1, having been 20/1 this morning) recorded a two and a quarter lengths win over Scott Lang

Casey, son of late Grade 1 winning trainer and top-notch mischief maker Peter Casey, later reported “Gary the cheeky bugger rode him work the other day and said to me 'he'll win bar a fall' and I said 'it's not a bloody hurdle race!'

"He said 'well then you have your answer - if I'm wrong the horse that beats him will win."

He added “I was happy with that and the lads like to have a few quid on so I'm sure they're happy.

“He's still a big baby, he's 17 hands and might go over hurdles now, I'm not too sure. I've always thought the world of him, he's a lovely horse.

“He's still green. Gary said initially he was hanging a bit left and then when he straightened him up he was hanging right. When he hit the front he was very green but he likes him an awful lot.”

Quotes from Gary Carson

1st
11/1
Tote €11.60 €2.80
2nd
2.25L
14/1
€2.40
3rd
nk
4/1
€1.20
4th
0.5L
16/5
bf
1.75L
5/4Fav
About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.