Gambled on Castle takes the spoils for O'Connor

Castle Ranger owned, trained and ridden by Mikey O'Connor made the long trip North from Liscarroll, Co Cork worthwhile as he battled gamely to land the mobile.williamhill Handicap Hurdle at the odds of 12/1.

The winning 7yo son of Beneficial had shown very little on his six starts before today and was having just his third start back since returning from over a year absence.

Having opened this morning as big as 33/1 in a place he opened on track at 20/1. That price was quickly taken and he was sent off at just 12/1.

Always prominent he disputed the lead with eventual runner-up Utrillo's Art (6/1) after the last. He then drifted left under pressure slightly hampering the second placed horse but after a lengthy stewards enquiry he kept the race.

Winning owner/trainer/jockey Mikey O’Connor said afterwards: “"In fairness Barry Cash rode him the last day and said that he should be stepped up in trip.

"He is in again at Thurles on Thursday and he might go there but he needs the ground to be yielding or soft as he can’t have good ground."

Afterwards the Stewards suspended winning rider Mikey O'Connor for two days for careless riding.