Samson Bill© Photo Healy Racing
Samson Bill ran out a wide margin winner to land a gamble in the two-mile beginner chase at Fairyhouse.
Jockey/trainer Denis Hogan tracked the leaders on 5/1 shot (16/1 this morning) before moving up to dispute three from home.
He was joined by stable-mate Mister Butler (50/1) going to the second last only for that rival to fall.
Samson Bill went on from long-time leader Bold Sky before the last and galloped on strongly in the closing stages to record a 13 length victory. Three Kings was backed from 6/4 into 11/10 favourite but after racing prominently he weakened two from home and was pulled up before the last.
Hogan said:- “I was gutted when this meeting was cancelled a month ago, and that was the reason why! It’s great to have somewhere to go with these horses.
“It’s for horses rated 109 or less over hurdles, and they are very important for me and my owners. Without this race I’d have to race against maybe a 150 horse. It’s great that HRI are putting on more of these races and, if they put on more, then I can keep more owners in the game.
“I’m delighted for Billy Kelly, Noel Egan and Willie Carey, who bred him. He got injured twice and missed two years with tendons. The boys had the courage to bring him back and the patience to wait.
“He was a very promising big horse and is just hard to mind the legs. Hopefully the handicapper gives him a chance as he’s ten-year-old now.
“My other horse (Mister Butler) was not out of it. He came in the corner of my eye, and hopefully we will have a day with him.”
(Quotes by Alan Magee)
