I Never Knew That springs a surprise

The Adrian McGuinness trained I Never Knew That ran out a surprise 14/1 winner of the Ladies Day 8th August at Sligo Handicap Hurdle under David Splaine.

The seven-year-old daughter of Anshan won a handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe last May on good ground but she ran poorly on her last two outings both of which were at Tramore.

Having just her second start of 2013, she was waited with towards the rear before making progress from three out.

She travelled well at the second last and she soon led, staying on well on the run-in to win by a length and a quarter at the line. Pocketfullapennies ran well to take second at 6/1 under Andrew McNamara while the 7/4 favourite, Givemeabuzz could only manage third, a further two lengths back under Jody McGarvey for Gerry O’Neill.

Adrian McGuinness said afterwards: "To tell you the truth I wasn’t going to run her when I got here. I thought she wouldn’t go on the ground.

"David gave her a super ride. I saw in the last few races that the front runners were struggling to get home, so I told him to drop her out and ride for a place.

"She skated in and I’m surprised she goes on that ground as she’s by Anshan and she needs good ground. She will probably jump a fence soon."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson