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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Hillsdale digs deep to open account

Sun 10th Mar 2024, 15:47

Keith Donoghue and Hillsdale (nearest) beat Ricky BobbyKeith Donoghue and Hillsdale (nearest) beat Ricky Bobby
© Photo Healy Racing

Hillsdale showed tenacity to battle gamely and land the spoils for Philip Dempsey in the first division of the 80-102 handicap hurdle at Naas.

Keith Donoghue bounced out in front on the 11/2 shot and he was joined by the smooth travelling Ricky Bobby jumping the second last.

The Westerner gelding found plenty when asked at the last and knuckled down to record a two-length win over that rival.

“It wasn't the plan to make it. The last day he looked home and hosed, he's a quirky fella,” said Dempsey.

“He's very difficult, he's not for young lads to ride out or anything. Keith did a great job with him. He ran away the last day but I'd say the ground was a lot heavier in Fairyhouse.

“I'm delighted with the way he battled there, it's great.

“We'll try him again and he'll go chasing next year, he's a big horse.

“The owner (Brian Pierce) isn't here, he's a good supporter of ours.”

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.