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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Gatsby Grey looks useful on hurdle debut

Tue 28th Dec 2021, 12:52

Gatsby Grey and Barry Browne Gatsby Grey and Barry Browne
© Photo Healy Racing

Gatsby Grey looks a useful prospect for Oliver McKiernan after getting off the mark over hurdles at the first time of asking in the Keith Lynch Memorial Maiden Hurdle at Limerick.

The French-bred gelding won a bumper for Declan Queally at Navan last spring and has since joined the Rathcoole trainer.

Barry Browne produced the five-year-old to lead away from the penultimate flight and the 6/1 chance soon took control keeping on well on the run-in to score by seven lengths. Kings Keeper took the runner-up spot with 5/2 favourite a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.

McKiernan said, "He is a tricky enough horse and worked a few times at home on sand and didn't enlighten me but Barry said the horse was holding his breath.

“He did a good piece of work two weeks ago at Punchestown and he turned inside out. He jumped well today and we're delighted with that.

"We were laughing coming down because I withdrew him a few days ago from the Grade 1 race at Naas in January and was saying to the boys that if he runs away with this race today we'll be kicking ourselves.

"He can run a bit and is a soft ground horse."

(TW & AM)

About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.