Big plans for Pretender after feature success

Sole Pretender quickened away impressively to land the spoils in the featured McGrath Limestone Works Handicap Hurdle at Ballinrobe this evening.

Norman Lee 's charge had won a bumper at the western track on his debut last May and made it two from two on his visits to the course.

Jack Kennedy tracked the front-running Reach Up on the 5/1 shot before hitting the front after the second last.

The Gold Well gelding eased ahead turning for home and was driven out on the run-in, pulling away on the run to the line to record a four-and-a-half length win over Ejayteekay

Sole Pretender was recording his second hurdle win having also landed a maiden hurdle at Clonmel last October. He was making his first outing since finishing second at Carlisle a few weeks later.

"We're delighted with him - he's a very good little horse," said Lee.

"Hopefully the handicapper is not too hard on him. He's only 16 hands but he's worth getting up for every day.

"He'll go to Punchestown - maybe for a Grade Two or Three and it's credit to Michael (Hogan, owner) that he kept him because we're a selling yard.

"I had him fairly straight for today and hopefully we'll be going to Galway with him this summer. Please God he'll be a Galway Hurdle type in time."

(Quotes by Eamonn Murphy)