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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Happy Jacky follows up off 12lb higher mark

Thu 5th Sep 2019, 18:24

Happy Jacky (Katie O'Farrell) just leads Alice Johnston over the lastHappy Jacky (Katie O'Farrell) just leads Alice Johnston over the last
© Photo Healy Racing

Happy Jacky followed up a convincing win at Ballinrobe last week when successful again in the Giantsgrave Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel.

The five-year-old gelding was raised 12lb for that easy nine lengths win in the west but that proved no problem as he justified 7/4 favouritism here.

Katie O’Farrell sent the son of Milan to the front after two out, and he kept on well on the run-in to score by two lengths. Alice Johnston took the runner-up berth, with Crafty Codger slightly hampered before the last a further three and a half lengths away in third.

Winning trainer Ray Hackett said, "He toughed it out well and it was his last chance to race in that 80-95 grade today so we said we'd take our chance. It was a bit quick but he is tough out.

"Today's trip was as short as he'd want and not knocking the rest of the horses, but it looked a middling race the last day.

"We might give him a pop over a fence before the ground goes heavy - he's not one for winter ground. He has great scope and he wants safe, yielding ground."

(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.