O'Callaghan Authorative in booting home his first winner Shane O'Callaghan enjoyed his first victory on board Authorative in the Molson Coors Handicap Hurdle at Downpatrick. The 33/1 outsider led throughout and kicked clear after the last in this extended two and a quarter mile contest. The winning margin was reduced to a length and a quarter by the staying on 10/11 favourite Eight And Bob at the line. Milomynit completed the placings the same distance away in third at 11/1. Trainer Anthony McCann said: "Shane has just turned 19 and he is with me just over a year. That's his first winner and only his second ride over hurdles - he rode this horse in Bellewstown and things didn't work out. I'm very glad for Shane as he works hard. He is from 20 minutes away from the yard in Keady, County Armagh." On Authorative, he said: "He needs proper good ground and he relished it today. He's a horse that keeps finding every time a horse comes to him. Believe it or not he is my work horse at home and he has everything off the bridle no matter whether it is over six furlongs, seven furlongs or two miles. "We have a gallop that comes off a bend and my head lad rides him every day and when he kicks off the bend he just goes. I told Shane to do the identical thing and he'll take you home. They were never going to get him going up that hill as he just loves it. "The ground is going to be good for the next couple of weeks and we'll keep him on the go in 80-95 handicap hurdles."
