Hanlon records first winner for Holden Abolitionist held off Easy Vic and Wandering Aengus close home, as he landed the Haven Hire Supporting Kildare GAA Handicap Hurdle under Brian Hayes for John 'Shark' Hanlon. The six-year-old son of Flemensfirth won a handicap hurdle at Sligo last July, but he failed to get his head in front again on his next ten starts He was placed on four of those ten starts, and he ran well to finish fourth in the Charity Race over the course earlier this month. Sent off a 12/1 chance this afternoon, the bay gelding chased the leaders throughout, and he progressed into fifth before three out. He swooped through to dispute the lead with Wandering Aengus at the second last, and he soon hit the front, going a couple of lengths clear before the turn into the straight. He came under pressure at the two furlong pole, and while Wandering Aengus and Easy Vic challenged on either side in the closing stages, the winner battled gamely to fend them both off by half a length. Easy Vic (12/1), under Paul Carberry for Tony Martin, won the battle for second by a short head from Wandering Aengus (8/1 to 4/1 on-course), under Shane Shortall for Patrick Prendergast. Vasco Du Mee was sent off the 7/2 favourite (opened at 4/1), and he rewarded each-way punters by keeping on into fourth under Davy Condon for Gordon Elliott. Hanlon said afterwards: "He wanted this ground and he didn’t get it last year. He will probably run again soon and he is entered a few times next week. "He looks like he is a pure chaser. That is my first winner for Paul Holden." Additional reporting by Alan Magee
