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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Spancil Hill lands Clonmel feature for Landers/McDonagh

Thu 1st Apr 2021, 19:02

Spancil Hill just leads Macs Legend (centre) and Marshalled over the lastSpancil Hill just leads Macs Legend (centre) and Marshalled over the last
© Photo Healy Racing

Spancil Hill recorded a fifth win for connections and his second this season when taking the featured Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase at Clonmel.

The Michael McDonagh-trained gelding, friendless at 18/1 despite winning at this venue last November, was prominent throughout and the extended 2m6f event developed into a three-horse affair in the straight.

Little separated the trio at the last but Spancil Hill got away from it quickly and stayed on strongly for Cathal Landers to beat 2/1 favourite Marshalled by four and a quarter lengths.

The veteran Macs Legend ran a cracker under top-weight but pecked badly after the last finishing a further three and a half lengths away in third.

Landers said, "He was jumping out of my hands carrying me everywhere. I wanted to sit for the first lap but he was out-jumping the one in front so I left him bowl away and he was happy getting lengths at his jumps and doing it easy.

"I thought I was beaten coming down the hill but he dug it out well, winged the last and I knew I had them after the last. He is a good honest horse."

(TW & AM)

About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.