Hanlon wins 'lucky last' with 33/1 outsider

Shark Hanlon is battling bouts of seconditis and tendonitis at present but the popular trainer bounced back with a winner at Fairyhouse today as his Ali Bin Nayef caused a 33/1 shock when landing the concluding Book Easter Festival Tickets Handicap Hurdle, under jockey Rachael Blackmore.

The five year old gelding was bought for 4,800GBP last March, having previously won on the flat in Britain for Michael Wigham, and was today winning for the first time, at the 15th attempt, over hurdles when arriving late to beat Brosna George

Hanlon’s previous winner was with Ayelya at Kilbeggan on August 12, and the delighted trainer today revealed “I think I’ve had 12 seconds since my last winner so I just wanted a winner!”

Hanlon, who has been getting around in a peroneal tendonitis walking boot in recent times due to leg injury, added “he has plenty of ability but getting it out of him is the problem and the pair of cheek pieces worked on him.

“The lads (Meadows Racing Club) who own him are from Thurles and normally come racing but they are going to Cheltenham early in the morning - they’re all happy as they had a few quid each-way on him.”

Quotes from Alan Magee