Immovable Morgan wins without stirrups

Hugh Morgan produced an exceptional piece of riding to win the Racing Again March 6th Handicap Chase at Navan today on Young Dev completing almost all of the three-miles course without the aid of stirrups.

Morgan's right stirrup leather broke jumping the first fence and while that failed to dislodge the 5lbs claimer, he then dismissed any opt-out thoughts, continued stirrup-less chasing the field on Young Dev whose cause appeared hopeless.

Young Dev, who matched at 499/1 in-running, did make progress from the third last fence and with Morgan showing admirable balance and fitness, managed to use his whip as the final fence loomed, moving past leader Se Mo Loach.

On the run-in Morgan maintained balance, momentum and composure as the pair scored a memorable and hard-fought three-parts of a length win over Se Mo Loach.

Contested over 17 fences on heavy ground, today's race was run in a time of six minutes and 58 seconds and afterwards the unassuming hero remarked “my right stirrup broke after the first and I kicked it out; he had run plenty of times so I said I might as well keep going.

“I'm grand at the minute but I'd say I'll be sore in the morning!”

He added “it took a bit of getting used to going down to the fences without them and I just left him to sort himself out and give him a squeeze.”

“I didn't really think about pulling up because I felt comfortable; he's a safe old jumper so I was happy enough to keep going.

“Denis (Hogan, absent winning trainer) said to take my time and let him warm up. I also spoke to Damien Skehan (assistant trainer) who filled me with a bit of confidence and told me exactly the way the horse was.

“Going up the hill I thought they had got away from me a bit and I just gave him a chance. He's a horse that doesn't like hitting the front too soon so it worked out ideal. Going to the third last I felt I had them covered.

“It was great - it was something new anyway! It's my first ride for Denis so it's very important to get a win.”

Morgan, based with trainer Henry De Bromhead, was riding his 31st winner.

Quotes from Gary Carson