Sceptical and Joey Sheridan© Photo Healy Racing
If it wasn’t clear that Sceptical is a very exciting horse already, it certainly is now, given the special nature of his performance in the View Restaurant At Dundalk Stadium Handicap.
The Exceed And Excel gelding looks the bargain of all bargains at the 2,800 pound price he left Godolphin for, to join the Hilltop Racing team.
Here with Joey Sheridan up for the first time and back to five furlongs 7/4 favourite Sceptical made it three wins from four outings since beginning his career at the end of October here at Dundalk.
This evening Denis Hogan’s charge, under a hefty top-weight burden, tracked the leaders and he was third at the halfway stage.
He made smooth headway on the winner to lead a furlong and a half out.
Pushed along and stretching clear inside the final furlong, the extremely quick sort easily accounted for Red Cymbal by six and a half lengths.
“He's a right horse. It was James' idea to come here as I hadn't this in the plan at all,” said Hogan.
“He won well the last day and we had intended to go straight to Lingfield on Good Friday as he was qualified for it.
“James (McAuley, owner) said over the weekend, would it be an idea to run him in this race for the experience because he did run around a bit the last day and was a bit green.
“He'd need all the experience he has because Lingfield is quite sharp.
“Dropping back a furlong today I didn't think it would be as easy as that, hence why we claimed 7lb off him with him getting 11lb the last day. I'd say his days in handicaps are numbered.
“You'd love the way he cut through them. He has a lot of class about him and natural ability.
“It's great that he's done that and he could be the best horse that I've had. He looks class.
“We ironed out one or two issues with him early on. He had his wind done after he won his maiden here and he's improved no end.
“We had a good sprinter in Make A Challenge last year and still have him going forward this season.
“You never know the two of them could clash in a big race.
“He works with Make A Challenge and we knew he was good.
“I was a little bit worried going to Doha with Make A Challenge because if Sceptical hadn't won here the Friday night beforehand he had no business being out there and we were already there at that stage.
“Luckily he won and Make A Challenge ran a good race on very quick ground and got bumped around.
“We're looking forward to him as well and he could start back in a Listed race at Cork at Easter, back over five with a bit of ease in the ground.
“We'll take it from there and there are plenty of sprints during the season.”
(GC & EM)
