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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Lilshane springs a 20/1 shock at Ballinrobe

Fri 13th Apr 2018, 19:42

Lilshane and Kevin BrouderLilshane and Kevin Brouder
© Photo Healy Racing

Another 20/1 shot took Division Two of the two and a quarter mile handicap hurdle in Ballinrobe as Lilshane got up by a head.

The well-punted De Benno asserted after the second last from Lilshane who looked to be toiling.

However, the latter began to pick up for Kevin Brouder coming to the last and stayed on stoutly to collar the 11/4 favourite in the final strides.

De Benno fiddled the final flight which didn't aid his cause or his momentum. Fruits Of Glory had plenty of backers but he was 21 lengths adrift in third at 5/1.

"He'd give you a heart-attack before he races," handler Tom O'Connor said.

"It was his first time here and that suited as well because he didn't know where the entrance was.

"We'll see what the handicapper does now. There's a 123 in Punchestown for him."

For his part owner Shane Pegley said: "Tom has put a lot of work into him.

"Kevin (Brouder) was cute on him there and Lord rest Noel O'Brien (the late handicapper). He said to me 'Shane get him back in his own grade again and he'll win another for you'. He's very sadly missed."

Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.