Berry preparing to turn professional

Veteran The Dabbler (20/1 - 14s) ended a long losing spell when winning his first hurdle race today, landing Sligo's Glasshouse Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap Hurdle for jockey Ross Berry, who will soon turn professional.

Owned by Michael Heery and trained by Liam Cusack, the 11-year-old was previously successful in consecutive chases in August and October 2021, and today reverted to hurdles when beating Solo Flight by 4.5 lengths.

Jockey Berry, son of trainer John Berry, revealed "I've been point-to-pointing for Colin Bowe but I'm doing the course next week and will be turning professional. I'm going to be based with Colm Murphy and am looking forward to it.

"I've had five rides for Liam (Cusack) and three have won. That's my third winner under Rules and I've ridden four point-to-point winners.”

Regarding today's race, he added “they went a good gallop which helped him. He came off the bridle early enough but came back on it down the back straight. I held onto him until the second-last and from there he went on about his job.”

Quotes from Mark Nunan