Shinnick sees claim reduced as Kate comes good

John Shinnick saw his claimed reduced to 5lb, after he partnered Kate Ill Know to victory in the second divide of the Visit Wexford Handicap Hurdle.

A winner on debut back in March of 2021 when in the care of Denise O'Shea, the daughter of Golan has been ultimately disappointing since.

Without a win in nine starts since joining Ken Budds, the now 11-year-old was sent off a 16/1 chance this evening.

Settled in mid-division, the John Draddy-owned victor took closer order with a circuit to race and went second approaching three out.

Pushed along before the next, she soon disputed the lead and gained a narrow advantage on the run to the final flight, keeping on best from there to see off the effort of Granpa Ger (10/3f) by a length-and-three-quarters.

Danny Mullins was aboard the runner-up for his father Tony, while recent course winner Getaway Henry (5/1) was another length-and-three-quarters back in third.

"She's had a few close calls around here and it just never clicked," Shinnick commented.

"Ken's horses are running well at the minute and he was second in the last race. She ran over fences the last day and the ground was on the slow side of good. She didn't seem to enjoy it as much.

"She switched back to hurdles today and was in good auld form. We thought she was keeping a little bit to herself but to be fair she battled it out well. She steadied into the last two hurdles but she put the head down after the last and galloped to the line.

"That's my 7lb claim gone."