Hoban arrives on Time for Legendary double

Conor Hoban completed a near 33/1 double on the evening when Legendary Times sporting the colours of Irish international soccer star John O’Shea, gained a deserved success in the Goresbridge Apprentice Handicap.

Hoban, on the mark earlier aboard Ok Annie and recorded his third career double, sent the Pat Flynn-trained mare to the front just over a furlong out and the 7/2 joint favourite kept on well to beat First Friday (16/1) by two and three quarter lengths. Sheilas Wish (14/1) was half a length back in third, while reserve Saratoga Baby (8/1) completed the placings in fourth.

Flynn said, “That’s brilliant and it’s nice to have a winner for John O’Shea. He had an ankle injury during the week but that will cheer him up now. He’s over in Portugal at the moment with his family on holiday.

“She deserves that win. She goes into the stalls late and if they don’t open straight away she’ll be left in them. I’m delighted for the young fella (Conor Hoban) as well as he was very cool on her.”

After the race the stewards suspended Danny Benson for two days as he was adjudged to have used his whip with excessive frequency aboard the third placed horse Shelias Wish.

(Additional reporting by Donal Murphy)