Hasselnott© Photo Healy Racing
Sean Kirrane followed trainer Johnny Levins' complex instructions almost to a tee at Navan today as the apprentice jockey steered his third career winner, on badly drawn Hasselnott in the Troytown Bar Apprentice Handicap.
Kirrane, who is apprenticed to Levins, was handed the widest and worst draw in 18 on Hasselnott, which had previously won just once in 27 starts.
However Kirrane held his nerve before mounting a late challenge on the five year old gelding, as the pair flew home and in the end scored a length and three parts success over Prove The Point
Afterwards Levins revealed “all credit to Sean; he was drawn 18 and we discussed the race in length, about how to ride him, and he's given him a copybook ride, exactly how we'd discussed it.
“I told him when he turned into the straight, because he was drawn 18, that he'd have to come from the back. They generally go a bit quick here with the long hill so I told him to count to 10: I think he counted to 20 and almost gave me a heart-attack.
“It was unbelievable ride from a relatively inexperienced jockey. He's a jockey that I'll keep on the right side of and there'll be plenty more winners to come from him when he starts improving, which he is showing at the moment.”
He added “I'm absolutely thrilled for David Spratt, who has been a loyal owner with me. We've had a lot of success in a short period of time. He's a gentleman.
“I also have to mention John Dillon, who actually works for Patrick Prendergast; he's only led up two horses for me and both have won so I might be offering him a job soon!”
Quotes from Gary Carson
