Honor Oak defies top-weight for Hogan/Hoban

Honor Oak recorded her third career win and second at Dundalk when justifying favouritism in division one of the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Handicap.

The grey top-weight travelled strongly under Conor Hoban, who switched her out to challenge over a furlong out.

The 5/2 shot quickened up nicely inside the final furlong to beat the front-running Coach Bombay by a length and a half, with Stadius another two length away in third.

Winning trainer Tom Hogan said, “She ran well the last day and might have been a small bit unlucky as she didn’t get a clean run through. She’s able to operate at that level and thank god to get a winner.

“John Doran is a wonderful owner and great sport. He’s a brother of Tom and he actually gave him the mare as a present.

“He also has the red and green colours of Mayo and she had a Mayo man on board so I’m the odd one out!

“She might come back here again before Christmas. A mile is her trip.

“You need to cover her up and produce her as she doesn’t want to be in front too long. Conor knows this place like the back of his hand, and he’s a very reliable fella.”

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