Shigar and Chris Hayes © Photo Healy Racing
Well placed throughout under Chris Hayes, the William Durkan trained Shigar held on close home to run out a narrow winner of the Curragh To Curragh Charity Cycle On This Saturday Handicap at Navan.
Prominent in the early stages, despite a wide draw in 17, the nicely backed 13/2 chance tracked leader Gibbs Island for much of the race.
In a contest where very few managed to get into it from off the pace, Shigar travelled strongly into the straight before heading the Andy Oliver trained Gibbs Island over a furlong out.
Hayes then had to be at his strongest inside the final 150 yards, as one of the few closers, Sea Chariot came with a strong late run down the outside under Shane Foley.
At the finish, the Durkan trained gelding held on to prevail by half-a-length.
Gary Bannon, assistant to Bill Durkan said: “He bled unfortunately after his race in Galway. I don’t know whether it was the ease in the ground that might have caused it.
“He’s been consistent all year and the handicapper has given him a chance and dropped him down 2lb to 80. He’s probably deserved to get his head in front.
“It’s great for Bill, that’s ten for the year for us. We’re a small team and it’s brilliant.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
