18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
John O'Riordan

John O'Riordan

Hassett Drives Solar home in front for Flynn

Fri 26th Apr 2024, 16:07

Solar Drive and Wayne Hassett left win the GAIN The Advantage Series Handicap from Natural Ruler.Solar Drive and Wayne Hassett left win the GAIN The Advantage Series Handicap from Natural Ruler.
© Photo Healy Racing

Solar Drive made a winning start to life in handicaps when staying on strongly under Wayne Hassett to claim the GAIN The Advantage Series Handicap at Cork.

The Paul Flynn trained grey was one of the most unexposed horses in the race, having had just the three starts in maidens prior to this afternoon.

Well away under his young apprentice jockey, the Mastercraftsman gelding travelled easily just behind the leaders before being produced to lead over a furlong out.

Although he faced a strong late challenge from the Johnny Murtagh trained Natural Ruler the eventual winner kept on well to score by a neck.

Paul Flynn said: "He is a grand horse and obviously Dundalk didn't suit him.

"I was hoping to go to Tipperary for a 1m1f race but it was called off so then had nowhere else to run. I came here and luckily he stayed (the distance) although I don't like running them from out of the handicap."

He added: "A lot of the boys own (stablemate) Timourid and are with me a good few years and I rode plenty winners for them with I was with Philip Hobbs in England.

"The lads are from Galway and keep horses with the Hobbses for the serious stuff, and send them to me for the craic! The boys backed him but you don't know where all this money comes from sometimes.

"It wasn't a great race but he did it well and jumps hurdles as well. There's a 1m4f handicap at the Galway festival so hopefully he can get into that."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.

1st
8/1
Tote €11.50 €3.00
2nd
nk
11/4Fav
€1.40
3rd
0.5L
7/2
€1.60
4th
4.75L
17/2
About John O'Riordan
John has worked for the Press Association since 2022. He also writes a weekly column for The Irish Field and is a regular contributor to the Irish Racing Yearbook. He has previously written for the Racing Post, Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mirror. He has been involved in racing for over three decades; having experience as a syndicate member, sole owner and breeder.