Sundancer scores for Shark & Son

Debut victor Mr Sundancer (13/2) bridged a gap of almost three years between wins today as he registered a second career success in Downpatrick's Ulster Carpets Handicap Hurdle, for trainer Shark Hanlon and his son Paddy Hanlon.

The six-year-old won on his Wincanton bumper debut in December 2021 and today ended a 17-race losing spell to scoring by five lengths from Init Together

Afterwards Shark Hanlon revealed "we are after having I think 35 placed horses (including fourth-placed finishers) in the last 45 days and we had only one or two winners.

“This horse has stepped forward from his run at Wexford and I'd say the little cut in the ground helped. He didn't settle in Wexford so I put the hood on him and it made an awful difference.

“I thought Paddy was good on him - when they were all going for home, he stayed sitting and gave him every chance to fill up his lungs.”

Regarding his 2022 Dingle Derby-winning son, he added “Paddy is only 17 and it is a hard game so I'm delighted for him.”

Quotes from Michael Graham