Shackleton Hero duly obliges

The 1/4 favourite Shackleton Hero took the HOLLYWOODBETS HORSE RACING AND SPORTS BETTING Maiden in workmanlike fashion under Declan McDonogh.

Beaten just a neck over a furlong further when last seen in action at this venue in November, the 79-rated son of The Gurkha was dropping to 6f for the first time.

He was a little errant from stalls, shifting left and tightening up a couple of rivals, but soon tracked the leaders. He came through to lead over a furlong from home and had to be kept up to his work inside the final furlong to see off the 9-year-old Approbare (66/1) by a length and a quarter. Brother In Law (8/1) claimed third spot a further length and a half away.

Placed on three previous occasions, the winner was making the breakthrough on his fifth outing.

Brendan Powell, assistant to winning trainer Joseph O’Brien, said: “He just about got away with it over that trip. It’s great to get his head in front and hopefully he can progress a bit.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee