18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
John O'Riordan

John O'Riordan

Ardera Ru another local winner at Gowran

Sat 11th Mar 2023, 15:31

Ardera Ru and Shane O Callaghan win the Boylesports Handicap HurdleArdera Ru and Shane O Callaghan win the Boylesports Handicap Hurdle
© Photo Healy Racing

Ardera Ru gave local punters further cause for celebrations when running out a 14/1 winner of the BoyleSports Handicap Hurdle at Gowran Park.

The eight-year-old mare, trained in Mooncoin by Eoin Doyle, led before two out and kept on strongly to hold the late run of Early Arrival

Shane O'Callaghan made the decisive move turning into the straight, switching his mount to the outer and allowing her stride on. A good jump at that flight saw the mare take control of proceedings and despite the narrow winning margin she had a bit up her sleeve.

“She's a consistent mare and we're having a great winter out of her,” said Eoin Doyle.

“She travels very well and picked up very well but we had a close moment going to the line, I don't know if he seen him coming but she's probably idling in front.

“I said to him to land her there going to the last but I suppose you have to commit when you are going so well. She won anyway.

“She did it well again and she's improving the whole time. She has a nice mark over fences, she's rated 95, and we might look at a chase.

“She obviously wants that ground, we were running her in the summer last year and she wasn't handling it.

“She's a big strong mare with a good pedigree. She always showed a bit and early on she ran well in a listed bumper but then she lost her way a bit.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

1st
14/1
Tote €17.80 €3.00
2nd
nk
20/1
€4.70
3rd
8.5L
3/1Fav
€1.20
4th
0.75L
9/1
€2.60
About John O'Riordan
John has worked for the Press Association since 2022. He also writes a weekly column for The Irish Field and is a regular contributor to the Irish Racing Yearbook. He has previously written for the Racing Post, Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mirror. He has been involved in racing for over three decades; having experience as a syndicate member, sole owner and breeder.