Hangar Five finally makes the breakthrough

Hangar Five finally made the breakthrough on his thirty first career start, as he took the last at Dundalk this evening, division two of the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Handicap.

The Pat Flynn trained gelding has gone close in the past, and has been placed a total of eleven times.

He was beaten just a short head at Cork on his penultimate start, but he disappointed last time out at Tramore, finishing a well-beaten eighth behind Diamond Pro.

Having just his second start on the all-weather, the five-year-old son of Hawk Wing was sent off an 8/1 chance.

Settled in mid-division, he was pushed along entering the straight, but he responded well for pressure, and he moved into second a furlong and a half from home.

He hit the front a furlong out and he kept on well from there to score comfortably by a length and three parts. Well Insured kept on to take second at 7/1 under Ray Dawson for Derek Barry, while Fiftyshadesofread was half a length back in third at 9/1, under Niall McCullagh for John McConnell. Secret Seven was sent off the 3/1 favourite for John Hassett and Seamie Heffernan, but he never really looked like winning and finished a disappointing eleventh.

Danny Grant said afterwards: "He works like a champion at home, and he’ll either do it or he won’t.

"He definitely has plenty of ability, it is just a question of getting him to show it."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee