Jack completes hat-trick in style

Oliver McKiernan has his string in great form over the past few months, and none more so than Whatever Jacksays who completed a hat-trick with a runaway success in the Niall McCarthy Memorial Handicap Hurdle.

Robbie Colgan made all aboard the improving seven-year-old in this two and a half mile event, and the 9/1 shot stretched right away from the second last to beat Capellanus (12/1) by 14 lengths. Joys Island (50/1) was a further four and three quarter lengths back in third, while the 13/8 favourite Cry For The Moon tried to throw down a challenge early in the straight before weakening to finish fourth.

McKiernan said, “He’s a great little horse, and as game as a gander! I thought the big weight and shorter trip would test him today but the horse and Robbie get on well together.

“He might have a little break now before heading west (Galway Festival). The ground is beautiful here today, and you couldn’t blame it for a horse getting beaten.”

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)