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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Shortall shines on Robin in Wexford opener

Sun 17th Mar 2019, 14:49

Christopher Robin and Shane Shortall (left) beat Cobaltic (centre)Christopher Robin and Shane Shortall (left) beat Cobaltic (centre)
© Photo Healy Racing

Shane Shortall gave Christopher Robin a strong drive to get the joint-favourite home in the opening maiden hurdle at Wexford this afternoon.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained gelding went to post a 5/2 shot for the two-miler and chased the leaders throughout.

Shortall sent his mount up to tackle front-runner Cobaltic two from home but he had to work to get the better of that rival going to the last.

Fellow market leader Fiveallin also tried to challenge at the final flight bu Christopher Robin found more on the run-in to secure a three-parts-of-a-length win over Cobaltic. Advanced Virgo stayed on for third, a neck back, and he was just three-parts in front of Fiveallin in a tight finish.

Christopher Robin had been well beaten at Navan on his previous run, when he lost a shoe, but had run well before that when third at Gowran.

Shortall said:- "On his Gowran run he was entitled to win this. He had an excuse the last day. Joseph found a good opportunity for him today and everything went right for him. He jumped and travelled well."

(Quotes by Donal Murphy)

1st
5/2JFav
Tote €2.60 €1.40
2nd
0.75L
10/1
€2.40
3rd
nk
5/1
€1.90
4th
0.75L
5/2JFav
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.