Welcome winner for Hourigan

Michael Hourigan saddled since his winner since last September when Humm Baby struck in the two-and-a-half mile handicap at Sligo.

The 13/2 shot (9/1 in morning) was produced to challenge two from home by David Mullins and hit the front going to the last.

The daughter of Mahler stuck on well on the run-in to record a two-length win over An'ball

“I'm glad she won. She belongs to three Irish/English people,” said Hourigan.

“It's just great that she won again. The nice bit of ground makes the difference. She hadn't much to spare.

“We'll look for something similar. I had her in a Flat race at Clonmel the other and was anxious but I was a shade afraid of the ground.

“She won on heavy in Listowel but she's not a big mare and you have to make it as easy as you can. She's a bit like myself, she's short.

“Times are not good and it's just the way things are. In my early days there was Jim Dreaper, Edward O'Grady and a bunch of them there.

“It's just that there is more money about now than there was then. I'm at the end of it. I'm 56 years in this game. I went to the Curragh when I was 14 years of age and I'm 70 now.

“I know nothing else. I had a great time and I've had some great horses. You don't stay going forever. You can be a top athlete but you don't stay going forever and there's always a new kid coming along.

“Owners needs youngsters and trainers needs young people coming in. If you're young you get a bit of craic out of it. We had great craic and there were days we never went home from racing.

“We had great times and I still love what I do. I've no problem doing what I'm doing. It's just great to train a winner. They won't be as plentiful as there were but sure....”