Oskar High wins by half a length© Photo Healy Racing
Oskar High (12/1) showed admirable fortitude to hold on in Division 1 of the Galway Handicap Hurdle to grab his second win in this race.
Norman Lee 's charge won the first division of this race two years ago by 14 lengths, but it was half a length this time around.
He made all over the extended 2m6f trip and came under a drive from Shane O'Callaghan on the run-in as Sydney Cruiser laid down his challenge.
Oskar High hung left on the long run-in and was almost along the stands' side rail in the closing stages but, crucially, he kept going. He gave the closers a sniff, though, and 4/1 favourite West Clare finished with a real rattle almost track-width apart, but went down by half a length. Divilabother (8/1) and Sydney Cruiser (9/1) completed the placings in third and fourth respectively.
Lee said: "Today was the plan for a while and it is great when it works. He is a grand little horse and it was a great ride by Shane. He drifted to the stands' side, but it was good riding by Shane as he left him roll along.
"I was afraid the ground was getting a bit dry for him, but he is an honest little horse and is a credit to everyone."
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
