Gambled winner completes Hogan's double

Trainer Denis Hogan completed an across-the-card double today, as his Bal De Rio landed a gamble to land Ballinrobe's McGrath Limestone Works Handicap Hurdle.

Ten-year-old Bal De Rio went unclaimed having won a Clonmel claimer in March and while finishing seventh at Cork just four days ago, today was backed from 20/1 this morning, opened 7/1 on the show, before returning 4/1.

Ridden by Daniel King, Bal De Rio needed minor encouragement through the 2m1f race but found plenty to lead early on the run-in and beat Wee Charlie comfortably.

Hogan, successful with Autocrat just 10 minutes earlier at Dundalk, said “Bal De Rio ran on Monday and I entered him for this that morning as there was a small entry.

“The ground was right, he had a light weight with Dan's 5lb off him and he came out of his run at Cork fine. He's a ten-year-old so whoever backed him was brave, but he did it nicely after a mistake at the last.

"The horses are running well and the lad at Dundalk (Autocrat) is a very nice horse and is capable of winning a good handicap somewhere. He has already schooled over hurdles but is still a colt and there's been a bit of interest in him, so he could be sold.”

Quotes from Mark Nunan