18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Bilbo Bags prize after overcoming interference

Mon 18th Mar 2019, 17:26

Bilbo Bagins (nearest) jumps the last with Effernock Lad (centre) and Presenting Mahler (far-side)Bilbo Bagins (nearest) jumps the last with Effernock Lad (centre) and Presenting Mahler (far-side)
© Photo Healy Racing

Bilbo Bagins stayed on best on the run-in to land the spoils in the Toals.com Handicap Chase at Navan this afternoon.

Three jumped the last together in the two-mile-one contest with Presenting Mahler on the far side of Effernock Lad as Bilbo Bagins came with his challenge on the stand's side.

Sean Flanagan got a good tune from the Adrian Murray trained gelding on the run-in as he went on to secure a two-and-a-quarter length win at odds of 7/1.

Effernock Lad took the runner-up spot, a neck ahead of Presenting Mahler.

Flanagan said afterwards:- “David (Mullins) fell right in front of me at the ditch away from the stands and brought me to a standstill. Then the loose horse got in my way a bit. I was on the back-foot but he travelled well into the race.

“He’s gone and done it well. He won a hurdle race here the same kind of way and that’s the way he is. He challenges late but he’s a grand type and jumps well.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.