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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Rebel bounces back to form

Sat 8th Jan 2022, 14:43

Rebel Early and Darragh O'Keeffe Rebel Early and Darragh O'Keeffe
© Photo Healy Racing

Rebel Early bounced back to form when galloping on strongly to claim the spoils in the two-and-a-half mile handicap hurdle at Cork.

The Liam Burke-trained mare had made little impression on her two most recent outings over timber but the 11/1 shot left that form well behind to run out a convincing winner.

Darragh O'Keeffe produced his mount to lead going to the second last and she stayed on stoutly to record a five length win over long-time leader Carrigeen Lotus

It was a fourth victory over hurdles for the daughter of Mountain High and Burke paid tribute to her late owner Jerry Nolan, who passed away in December, after the race:-

"It is a shame Jerry isn't around but that's it, unfortunately, and his brother James will carry on at the moment.

"Jerry was with me since 1986 and was my backbone all the time. We had Thyne Again and he gave us some great days and he brought us to Cheltenham."

He added:- "She ran a stinker the last day but Darragh seems to get a great tune out of her and has won on her twice now. He knows her well and the cheek-pieces made a big difference as she carried him and jumped for him today.

"She will probably go to Gowran next."

(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.