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Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

Spike in number of big-priced winners continues

Thu 23rd Jul 2020, 19:44

Philip Enright on Sean Says splits a pair of John Joe Walsh trained horsesPhilip Enright on Sean Says splits a pair of John Joe Walsh trained horses
© Photo Healy Racing

There has been a spike in the numbers of big priced winners in Ireland since lockdown ended and the latest was 40/1 chance Sean Says which landed the Adare Handicap Hurdle at Limerick today.

Today's jumps fixture had earlier seen 100/1 chance Some Spin win the second division of the geldings' maiden and Sean Says, for trainer Rodger Sweeney, added to the big-priced-winners' haul.

Four year old filly Sean Says was today partnered by jockey Philip Enright and beat a pair of John Joe Walsh trained runners, second-placed Ballyegan Hero and third Broder

Afterwards Salsify's trainer Sweeney stated “she won a good four year old hurdle at Punchestown last January but was running against older horses afterwards.

“You'd be disappointed with her run the last day as I thought she'd win.

“I'll bring her on slowly as she is only four and I'll have a chat with Colman (Sweeney, son) and see where we go next.”

The current absence of on-course bookmakers at racecourses has changed the way starting prices are calculated and while, anecdotally, over-rounds are somewhat similar, more 'fancier' prices are being returned.

Today's 100/1 winner was the third such priced winner in Ireland since lockdown, along with an 80/1 and four 50/1 victors.

Put in context, Change The Rules' 100/1 win at Gowran in 2016 ended a 13 year drought between triple-digit winners.

1st
40/1
Tote €43.10 €9.10
2nd
1.25L
25/1
€7.10
3rd
nk
14/1
€3.80
4th
7.5L
14/1
bf
6L
15/8Fav
About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.