Macgiloney swoops late for in-form Hogan

Denis Hogan has enjoyed a good run of form with his mixed team in recent weeks, and Macgiloney kept the ball rolling in the Examiner Maiden Hurdle at Cork.

The Cloughjordan trainer/rider has sent out nine winners in the past three weeks including a Punchestown Festival victory with Moyhenna, and early morning offers of 7/2 about Macgiloney were slashed on track as he went off the 7/4 favourite.

Chief market rival Foxy Jacks struck the front at the third last and appeared set to score when still a few lengths up before the last.

However a mistake at the final flight didn’t help his cause, and Hogan’s mount came home strongly on the stands’ side eventually scoring by two lengths.

Hogan said, “He could have jumped a bit better, and I really had to ask him at a lot of the hurdles.

“Coming out of the back I always thought that I’d get there but then Jack (Kennedy, on Foxy Jacks) slipped a few lengths on me and Bryan (Cooper)’s horse (Asbury Boss) broke down and I was lucky to get by him.

“This is a nice horse and he won two bumpers last year. He’s always been threatening to do that but he needs a trip. Even over two and a half miles you are always on your head, and three miles around here was ideal.

“The beauty of now is that he’s a novice for all of this season and those rated novice races will suit him.

“We’ve had five winners in the last ten days and it’s great when they are running well. There is a good buzz about the yard.”

The Stewards interviewed P.E. Corbett, rider of Jack Hackett, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that P.E. Corbett was in breach of Regulation 103(g) in that he had used his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his previous record in this regard into account, the Stewards suspended P.E. Corbett for one race day.