Hurricane Ivor blows away rivals in sprint handicap

Hurricane Ivor opened his Irish account when keeping on strongly inside the final furlong to land the Tote Never Beaten By SP Handicap at the Curragh.

The six-year-old gelding won three times for William Haggas back in 2021 but moved yards over the winter to join Jessica Harrington.

The 10/1 shot led well inside the final furlong before holding off the late surge of Swift Flight by a neck. Laugh A Minute was a further length and a half back in third.

Kate Harrington said, “He’s a really nice horse we got from Haggas’ last year, Fiona (Carmichael, owner) decided to move him over here.

“He had a back operation over the winter and it seems to have worked a treat with him. He did that really nicely.

“We had him ready to run the first day of the season but he got cast in his box and it’s great to get his head in front today.

“Five or six should be his ideal trip and hopefully the handicapper won’t be too hard on him. He seems to enjoy the softer ground.”