Qatari Hunter follows up in style at Gowran

Qatari Hunter followed up his win at the Curragh on Saturday evening when justifying odds-on favouritism in the Festival Of Speed July 17th Handicap at Gowran Park.

The son of Footstepsinthesand was raised 11lb by the handicapper for that Curragh, so with a mandatory 5lb penalty here was effectively 6lb well-in.

Early quotes this morning of 2/1 soon disappeared and he was eventually sent off the 5/6 market leader against 13 rivals.

Kevin Manning ’s mount led over a furlong out, and kept on well to beat Aared by a convincing two and a half lengths. Storm Ranger was a further length and a half back in third.

Winning trainer Jim Bolger said, “He’s a late developer and hopefully can win another one or two. He did it well today.”