Star Official gains first success over hurdles

A Flat winner on soft ground at Killarney last October, Star Official recorded his first win over jumps in the Leugh Handicap Hurdle. 

Having tracked the leaders on the Dawn Approach gelding, Danny Mullins produced his mount to lead on the run to the final flight and the 5/2 favourite was ridden out to score by a length and three quarters from Destivelle  

Trainer Dick Donohoe, who owns the five-year-old in partnership with Donal Doyle, said: "It looked a good opportunity and Danny got a great tune out of him.

"It was a long time coming for him over hurdles but he had run well in a similar race at Tramore recently and today's race cut up so you had to be reasonably confident.

"He'll keep going and will try for another handicap hurdle somewhere."

Quotes from Tom Weekes