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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Pivot Bridge enjoys his hurdle outing

Fri 4th Oct 2013, 15:38

Pivot Bridge clears the last in Gowran ParkPivot Bridge clears the last in Gowran Park
© Photo Healy Racing

When the bookmakers went 8/1 co-favourites of four in a 20-runner handicap hurdle at Gowran Park it illustrated how tricky a betting heat the race won by Pivot Bridge (12/1) was.

The five-year-old son of Pivotal is trained by Ado McGuinness, who is more associated with flat horses. Indeed this gelding’s only previous win came on the flat in a mile and a half handicap at Leopardstown in June of last year.

Jockey David Splaine commented: “Ado was quietly confident beforehand. He travelled away well and he likes a cut in the ground. With a bit of luck there should be another day in him."

Pivot Bridge raced in second behind front-running Billybuster It looked like he had Billybuster’s number upon jumping the last, but the eight-year-old fought back well on the inside after being headed. Splaine got Pivot Bridge home by half a length.

Billybuster (12/1) had been 20/1 this morning and was backed in from 16s in the betting ring.

Back from the battle for first was Charging Indian in third at 14/1, beaten seven and a half lengths in total. One of the 8/1 co-favourites – Roman Numeral – gave his backers a place payout in fourth.

The winner paid €17.50 on the Tote.

Additional reporting by Donal 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.