Gilligan drives Glan home

The Join Racing TV Now Handicap Hurdle at Listowel boiled down to a match between the favourite and second favourite and it was the 'second in' Glan who proved the stronger on the run-in. Grange Walk was bidding to exploit a 30lb lower mark over hurdles than fences and moved into the lead before four out.

He was soon followed by Glan and looked vulnerable to her between the last two flights.

Glan asserted on the run-in and won snugly by two and a half lengths at 10/3 from the 3/1 favourite. Weddell Sea (16/1) completed the placings in third, a further couple of lengths away.

Winning jockey Danny Gilligan said: “That was straightforward. She settled lovely, she jumped brilliantly, and she was good and gutsy under me. She did everything I asked of her, and I couldn’t be any happier with her.

“Looking back at a couple of her races, she can be a small bit keen, but she was very good today and hopefully she can keep progressing off that."

He added: “I can’t complain about how things are going and a big thanks to Gordon (Elliott, trainer). I’m very grateful for all the opportunities I’m getting, and while the rest of the lads are out, I’ll try to make the most of it.”

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes