Shanwalla just holds on for the Gilligans

Shanwalla a dual bumper winner back in 2019, got back into the winners’ enclosure when prominent throughout in the Forever Equestrian Clothing & Tack Store Novice Hurdle at Kilbeggan.

Trained by Paul Gilligan and ridden by his son Jack, the 15/2 chance (as big as 16/1 earlier in the day) kept on gamely under pressure to just hold the late challenge of Face The Odds by a short-head. Wrong Direction was a further length and a half away in third. It got a bit close between the placed horses on the run-in but the result was confirmed after a stewards enquiry.

Jack Gilligan said, “Paul thought he had a shout. We jumped out and went a good even gallop. He’s a hardy horse and takes a lot of passing.

“A small horse like him wants a tight track. He popped away lovely over the hurdles and it’s great to get it.”