Hayes Plugged In for a double

Chris Hayes sealed a Bellewstown double on nicely backed Plugged In who contested the first split of the Gerry Hughes Memorial Handicap over the extended seven furlongs.

The four-year-old gelding had been off since October but was backed from 18/1 to 11/1.

An absolute plethora of horses held chances entering the final furlong with Plugged In racing widest of all.

He still had plenty to do but once he got past the path, with less than 150 yards to travel, he zoomed home to collar The Bog Bank close home. The winning margin was half a length.

Runner-up The Bog Bank had been supported from 80/1 down to 33/1. She was three parts of a length in front of Basrah Breeze (11/1).

Hayes said: “That was nice, I'm delighted to ride a winner for Jim (Gorman) because he's been a good supporter of mine all the way through.

“That horse led me in a piece of work the other morning and caught my eye so I asked Jim for the ride on it, I didn't even know what he was.

“The draw was fine today and the hood was on because he was a little bit keen at home but I couldn't go there as they went a proper solid gallop.

“I saved every inch of ground until the two and then I angled out as wide as I could because I knew they had gone hard and would stop and I'd need an awful lot of luck to get gaps.

“I just flicked out and once I got past the two I motored. I'd like to think off that mark he'd go and do something again.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson