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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Witness off the mark over timber

Tue 5th Mar 2024, 16:05

Chosen Witness and Sean O'Keeffe lead over the lastChosen Witness and Sean O'Keeffe lead over the last
© Photo Healy Racing

Chosen Witness gave weight and a beating to his rivals in the two-mile maiden hurdle at Thurles.

The Willie Mullins-trained gelding had won a point-to-point and bumper to start his career and was getting off the mark at the fourth attempt over timber.

Sean O'Keeffe tracked the leaders on the 10/3 shot before moving up to dispute two from home.

He took over from long-time leader Touch Me Not before the final flight and stuck on well in the closing stages to record a two-length success over the staying-on Answering

The winning rider said:- "He is going in the right direction again and is definitely improving.

“He is a fine big horse and while he can be ignorant at one or two hurdles, he has scope and I'd imagine will very good over a fence."

O'Keeffe rode the winner to finish 19th in the Cheltenham Bumper last March and added:- "You can always forgive a horse a disappointing run in that race and he is getting things right this year."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)

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.