Rolling Revenge clears the last under Mark Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
The Martin Brassil trained Rolling Revenge landed a significant gamble at Kilbeggan, as he took the Hurley Family Handicap Hurdle.
Available at 20/1 last night, the lightly raced son of Beneficial was well-backed throughout the day, opening on-course at 9/2, before going off the 7/2 favourite.
Settled towards rear by Mark Walsh, he took closer order from three out, and was third after the next.
He was pushed to the front before the last, and kept on well on the run-in to score by a length and three parts. Cadawill (4/1), who was as short as 15/8 last night with Paddy Power, kept on to take second under Davy Russell for Rodger Sweeney, while The Informer (4/1) was a further length and three parts back in third under Paddy Kennedy for Emmet Butterly.
Martin Brassil said afterwards: "It took a while to find a bad race for him but we found one! I've had him four years and his owner has been very patient.
"I'm not sure the track suited him, as he's a big long striding horse, but we got away with it.
"He couldn't handle winter ground so we said we'd see if he was any better on this type of ground. He was second in a point-to-point so I thought the trip was no problem.
"I'll look for something similar and I think there is a race at Tipperary for him shortly."
The winner, who was fitted with a tongue strap for the first time this evening, is owned by Patrick Aspell, father of dual Grand National winning jockey Leighton.
Cian Collins was unseated from Young Linzi at the first, and that hurdle was omitted on the next two circuits as young rider was being attended to.
Collins was later taken to Tullamore Hospital with a lower leg injury.
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards requested a report from Martin Brassil, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Rolling Revenge, placed first, as compared with its previous form. Martin Brassil reported that he had cared for this animal for the last four years and having initially being placed second in a Point to Point he was advised at that time that the gelding had the pace for two miles. Having tried him over this trip he realised that he needed further. He added that he had not run since last December because he had a problem tying up after exercise and consequently his diet was changed to include herbal treatment. Today he felt that the ground conditions, the longer trip of three miles and the long layoff to allow him adapt to a new training regime were contributing factors to his success. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
