Search
Cheltenham 2024
- Main Site
- Cheltenham Home
- Cheltenham Cards
- Cheltenham Results
- Cheltenham Offers
- Cheltenham Odds
- Cheltenham Tips
- Cheltenham News
- Prestbury Cup
- Cheltenham Videos
-
Cheltenham Statistics
- Leading Trainer
- Leading Jockeys
- Leading Owners
- Previous Years
- Previous Appearances
- Breeding Profile of Winners
- Lady Jockeys at The Festival
- Leading Jockey Award Winners
- Most Successful Jockeys of All Time
- Current Jockeys Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Jockey In..
- Leading Trainer Award Winners
- Most Successfull Trainer All Time
- Current Trainers Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Trainer In..
- Cheltenham Trainer/Runner Index
- Desktop Site
Cheltenham 2024
- Home
- News
Gary Carson
Unoccupied back to winning ways
Unoccupied goes on to score as Vincent Row crashes out
© Photo Healy Racing
Unoccupied stuck at it best to land the spoils in a stamina sapping Killinan Handicap Hurdle at Thurles.
The Eoghan O'Grady-trained gelding raced prominently throughout in the 2m6f event and was ridden to lead at the third last.
Twin Plan appeared to be travelled better turning for home but couldn't pick up when asked and it was Vincent Row who emerged as the biggest threat before the last.
He crashed out when pressing the eventual winner at the final flight and Philip Enright kept Unoccupied going on the run-in to post a eight-length victory over Twin Plan.
The 10/1 winner was bouncing back to winning ways, switched back to timber, having been pulled up over fences at Punchestown last time.
The gelding had also been victorious in a beginners chase at Tramore on New Year's Eve.
“It would have been a toss of a coin at the last with Philip Rothwell's horse coming down,” admitted O'Grady afterwards.
“I'm not sure were we will go next. He might go back over fences.”
Robbie McMahon was sent off 3/1 favourite but was pulled up.
(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)