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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Cleary doubles up on Saga

Fri 22nd Feb 2013, 20:09

Saga Eiger and Rory Cleary Saga Eiger and Rory Cleary
© Photo Healy Racing

Rory Cleary got in on the double-act when partnering his own brace aboard Saga Eiger in the mile maiden at Dundalk. Knight Of Bangkok cut out the running but was tracked throughout by James Barrett's charge.

He took over with over two furlongs to run and skipped a few lengths clear before the furlong marker.

Cleary kept his mount going inside the final furlong to post a three-quarter-length verdict over To Choose who stayed on in second place.

The winner was easy to back this morning (7/4 out to 3/1) and after an initial drift on course from 3/1 to 7/2 was returned the 3/1 favourite.

The Whipper colt had been well beaten on two starts last March before a break and had shown more when last seen here in December, finishing third behind Lily Of Kenmare over this trip.

“He had a few niggly problems last year,” revealed Thurles handler Barrett.

“He improved form his last run and everything worked out well today. When he steps up in trip again you should see more improvement.”

Cleary had also partnered Cash Or Casualty to success in the second race. He and Pat Smullen shared the first four contests between them.

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)

1st
3/1Fav
Tote €4.30 €1.90
2nd
0.75L
10/3
€1.10
3rd
2L
16/1
€5.10
4th
2.25L
33/1
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.