Hasanabad gets off the mark as gamble goes astray

Hasanabad was made to work hard for his win in the concluding Follow @TipperaryRaces On Twitter Maiden, as a gamble on Owenacurra Lass went astray.

Third and fourth on his first two starts, the Dermot Weld trained victor was expected to get off the mark this evening, and he went off the 8/11 favourite under Chris Hayes in the colours of the Aga Khan (completing a double on the card).

Settled in second, the successful son of Nathaniel was pushed along to lead from early in the straight.

He was ridden and strongly pressed by French import Rasiym from the furlong pole, and he had to battle all the way to the line to see off that rival by three parts of a length.

The runner-up was returned at 9/2 under Colin Keane for Edward O'Grady, while 50/1 chance The Jam Man ran a huge race to take third, another three and a quarter lengths behind.

Bumper winner Owenacurra Lass was backed from 20s to 7s on-course, but she never looked like winning, and finished a disappointing twelfth.

Weld said afterwards: "He did what you'd expect and he'll probably go for a winners of one next. There's one over 1m 6f at Killarney in a couple of weeks time and he'll probably run there.

"The second horse was very well fancied too and the first two drew clear. I was very pleased with him and he is progressive."

STEWARDS REPORTS

S.M. Crosse, rider of Itsalonglongroad (GB) trained by John C. McConnell, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount raced freely and did not get home.

K.J. Leonard, rider of The Granson trained by Denis Gerard Hogan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung badly to the left.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes