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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Nutcracker enjoys return to level

Mon 21st Sep 2015, 17:41

The Nutcracker and Seamie Heffernan The Nutcracker and Seamie Heffernan
© Photo Healy Racing

The Nutcracker landed a gamble when running out a cosy winner of the second division of the Simonstown Handicap at Navan.

Tom Gibney 's charge was backed from 13/2 this morning and eventually went off 10/3 favourite on course.

Seamie Heffernan settled his mount in mid-division in the ten furlong contest before making progress two furlongs from home.

She hit the front inside the final furlong and was pulling clear at the line for a four-and-a-half length success.

The winner had shown decent form over hurdles this season, including winning at Ballinrobe in May, and was making her first start on the level since last November.

"We knew she was thrown in on her hurdles form but she is well named! It was her first run back on the flat and Andrew Lynch has done a great job settling her," said Gibney.

"I'm delighted to get that, it opens up her options. She's versatile and the ground is no bother to her. I couldn't believe how well she handled Listowel (third last week)."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)

1st
10/3Fav
Tote €4.50 €1.50
2nd
4.5L
16/1
€5.40
3rd
1.25L
7/1
€1.30
4th
0.5L
13/2
€2.30
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.