Harry Smyth and Adrian Heskin discuss Personal Shopper's win© Photo Healy Racing
Personal Shopper the only horse in training with veteran Co. Antrim trainer Harry Smyth, caused a shock in the Kilcawley Construction Sligo Handicap Hurdle as the 20/1 complete outsider made all under Adrian Heskin.
The six-year-old mare gradually burned off her seven rivals, and it was left to just top-weight Monelissio (4/1) to throw down a strong challenge at the final flight.
However Heskin’s mount dug deep on the run-in and held off that rival by three quarters of a length, with Forjopethepainter (8/1) another nine lengths adrift in third.
Smyth, 76, from Ballyclare said afterwards, “I’ve been training for 25 years and that’s the only one I have at the moment. I had a few quid on at 33/1 and that may help to pay for another one or two!”
