Gilligan rides first Wexford winner

Danny Gilligan lost his right to claim at Galway last week and today conquered Wexford when riding his first winner at the venue, on Burvea (7/2) in the opening Wexford Fillies Maiden Hurdle.

Trained by David Broad, the Buratino-filly raced with the pace and having joined leader Hasten Slowly at the last, edged ahead on the run-in to beat that rival by 2.25 lengths.

Gilligan reported “I finally got a grip of riding around here; I was unlucky a couple of times but I'm delighted to ride this winner.

“I finished second on Burvea in Ballinrobe and she then had a run on the flat. To be fair I thought she was a different filly today, she has strengthened up and couldn't have done it any better.

“She jumped super and from hurdle to hurdle. She can sometimes race keen and that's why she wears a hood but I was able to get her to relax and she got in a rhythm."

Quotes from Donal Murphy