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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Carberry kicks year off with winner

Sun 1st Jan 2012, 12:37

Dont Back Down lived up to his name when producing an ultra-game performance to land the opening maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Paul Carberry made the running on the Gigginstown gelding but he came off the bridle after the third last and looked a sitting duck turning for home.

4/6 favourite Lord Gale loomed large and joined his rival at the second last.

The Gordon Elliott-trained front-runner refused to be passed, however, and found plenty to hold the hotpot at bay by a neck.

"Best horse I've ridden all year!" quipped Carberry as he returned after the victory.

"It wasn't a great race and we'll step him up in trip now as he's slow enough," said the winning trainer afterwards. "Paul gave him a great ride."

Elliott also revealed that last year's RSA Chase runner-up Jessies Dream is to be given an entry for the Hennessy at Leopardstown next month.

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.