Petrol motors home on return from absence

The money arrived late for Petrol Head and he defied a long absence with a cosy success in the Northern Ireland On Course Bookmakers Association Handicap Hurdle at Downpatrick.

On his first outing for Katy Brown the Valirann gelding was supported into 7/2 having been as big as 7/1.

Shane O'Callaghan moved smoothly through to chase leader Mater Matuta over the second last and his mount jumped to the front over the final flight.

He soon asserted and O'Callaghan could afford to ease down late on to record an eight-and-a-half length win over Only One Plan

The winner had been on the sidelines for 708 days having last been seen finishing second in a Kilbeggan handicap hurdle in July 2022 for Ronan McNally.

O'Callaghan said: "Brilliant feel! He was deadly whether I needed him to come up for me or to get in and dance, he was electric.

"He cruised into it very easily coming down to the last and he won it very easily.

"Katy was filling me with confidence - I went down and schooled him the other day and I was delighted with him. We came here today and we thought we had a live chance and he proved it.

"He has won before, he has a bit of form but to come off 708 days and do that is brilliant."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)