Skinnider (nearest) © Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Martin Hassett gave Skinnider (28/1) 'a good each-way chance' in a Racing TV interview with Johnny Ward just before the start of the two-mile handicap hurdle and his confidence was far from misplaced.
Having got in as a reserve, the Shirocco mare moved into contention early in the straight and was a close second to 5/1 fav Crowsatedappletart jumping the last. On the run-in, she stayed on well to beat the running-on Mcgrath From Clune by a length and a quarter with another half a length back to the market leader in third.
Winning rider Kieran Callaghan was completing a quick double after Sir Argus in the opener.
Afterwards, a delighted Hassett said: "I fancied her and got 33s! All our horses are going and running well so we're probably punching above our weight. We are under the radar so the bookies don't take much notice of us, so that's all the better.
"She was second in a very good bumper here to Battling Bessie (in 2021) and I actually thought she was black-type but something went amiss for a couple of runs but she is back on song now.
"Hopefully there is another one or two in her and I think she wants 2m4f and Kieran thinks the same thing. I knew she'd stay at it, she is good to jump and he gave her a peach of a ride."
He added "she was flying at home and we were lucky to get in (as second reserve) so we had to go. I got the call at 10am this morning and was humming and hawing whether to rush her to the races but the boys said 'just go' so I loaded up and went."
Quotes from Tom Weekes
