Hanlon on the mark with UK import Easy Bucks

John 'Shark' Hanlon registered his first winner since his King George VI Chase heroics on St Stephen's Day, as Hewick's trainer today landed Punchestown's Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase with long-absent UK-import Easy Bucks (18/1).

Hanlon's Hewick became just the ninth Irish-trained winner of Kempton's Christmas showpiece race and today Easy Bucks, having his first run for the trainer and reappearing following 438 days off, scored by eight lengths from Knocknagappagh

Hanlon wasn't present and afterwards winning jockey Shane Fenelon said “it was hard to know coming from England what kind of mark they have but hopefully he can build on it after such a long absence.

“I sat on him last Thursday, gave him a pop over two fences and was happy with him so we left it up to them. I'd say he can go up in trip and he's fairly ground versatile as he's done all his winning on good ground. It is soft ground here today.

“He's a nice horse and in fairness he's done it nicely.

“Mickey Bowen, who is (jockeys) Sean and James' brother, works with us in Shark's and brought the horse over. Mickey and Abby have done all the work with him.

Quotes from Gary Carson