Knockanarrigan lands some hefty bets

From 3/1 in early trading today down to 11/8 on the off – a right touch was landed on Knockanarrigan in Roscommon.

As this three mile handicap hurdle race hotted up, it became clear from the third last that it would boil down to Knockanarrigan and Polish Partisan the top-weight.

Polish Partisan made a mistake at that hurdle and also at the last and went down by a length and three parts at 14/1.

Trainer Dessie Hughes said: “It’s nice to win a hurdle race with him. He went up a couple of pounds. He’s a real top of the ground horse. Considering he pulled so hard he did well to win. He needs a better gallop.

“He’ll go chasing the next day. We thought there was a hurdle race off his mark and there just about was. We’ll keep him chasing now.”

As 16 horses ran, punters were paid out down to fourth place. Boss Croaker at 14/1 and Court Frontier at 22s came in third and fourth respectively.

Perhaps one reason why the money came for Knockanarrigan was that he was racing off a hurdle rating 11lbs lower than his chasing mark.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson