Ray Hackett with Stormy Master and jockey Jack Gilligan© Photo Healy Racing
Stormy Master caused a 28/1 upset to win Wexford's concluding Country Fest August 13 Opportunity Handicap Chase today, overcoming form figures of '0PPP-0-P' to score for in-form trainer Ray Hackett.
The nine-year-old's only previous win was gained in a Limerick chase in May 2021 and today, under jockey Jack Gilligan, scored by two and a quarter lengths from runner-up Meehall
Hackett, with two winners and two seconds from his last five runners, reported “his work at home is always good and hence the reason we were persevering.
“Jack was just brilliant as he needs to be left alone. We gave away ground going out wide just to give him space and he grabbed a hold of the bit today and raced for him. If he gets a fright early on it’s over, but he jumped great and huge credit goes to Jack.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
