Gamble foiled as Yulong finds his Voice

Yulong Voice (5/1) registered a third career win today, as the Shane Nolan-trained gelding landed Limerick's D Pack Services Handicap Hurdle, in a race where a gamble on Grozni came unstuck.

Ridden by Shane Fitzgerald, five year old Yulong Voice improved to lead jumping the last and stayed on well for a two and a quarter lengths win over The Big Chap

A gamble on the Charles Byrnes-trained Grozni went uncharacteristically and badly astray. Backed from 16/1 this morning and 8/1 on the show, he was returned the 100/30 favourite (and 4.7 with Betfair).

Having his first run for Byrnes, Grozni was sluggish in rear and while in contention behind a wall of horses entering the home straight, dropped away to finish 16-lengths ninth, under a hands and heels ride.

Following the race Yulong Voice's trainer Nolan stated “that was great, we gave him a little break after his last run and freshened him up. He switched off well today, jumped well and when he switched off he is a different horse. Some days he is keen other days he isn't.

“I thought this race was a bit stronger than the one he won at Killarney last August and the nicer ground helped. I walked the track beforehand and thought there was a strip of ground on the inner which was quicker.

“He could go for a chase soon but we might wait to hopefully get one more hurdle out of him.”