Drumgill brings up hat-trick in style

Drumgill continued the excellent run of the John Ryan yard, as he completed a hat-trick in the Cummins Homevalue Hardware Handicap Hurdle.

After making the breakthrough on his 13th start over the course and distance last month, the Elusive Pimpernel five-year-old followed-up at Sligo on Thursday last.

Carrying a 7lb winners penalty this evening, the Danny Gilligan ridden victor was sent off the clear choice of punters at 13/8.

With Wrecking Ball Paul blazing a trail out in front, Gilligan was content to settle his mount in second, closing right up on the leader approaching the final flight.

Easing to the front from the furlong pole, the favourite stylishly increased his advantage in the closing stages and came home seven-lengths to the good.

Trained locally by Michael Flannery, Tomas O Maille (13/2) kept on to take second, a nose ahead of In For The Night (9/2) in third.

"He's a late maturer who's getting better and stronger every time I put a saddle on him," Ryan, who was recording his seventh winner in the last 21 days, explained.

"He won very easily in Sligo and it's nice to see him come on here and follow up.

"Given all the non-runners in this race, I hope the handicapper won't be too hard on him.

"After Danny was second on him here, I said I'd leave him on the horse and now he's won three on him.

"He got his fractions spot-on from the start and is a great kid."

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan