O'Hanlon proves supersub after stable staff protest

Paddy O’Hanlon proved an able replacement for Mark McDonagh, injured in a fall at Downpatrick on Wednesday, when successful aboard Swelltime in the delayed Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap Hurdle at Kilbeggan.

The race started 22 minutes late following a protest by stable staff into the lack of free water provided by the racecourse.

The stableyard at the County Westmeath track is about half-a-mile from the parade ring and an arduous walk for staff in the prevailing hot conditions.

Irish Grand National winning rider O’Hanlon produced the son of Born To Sea, trained near Ballingarry by William O’Doherty, to head Scalor off the home bend.

The 100/30 chance soon asserted and drew clear on the run-in to score by eight lengths.

Scalor just held on for second by a neck from Faith Du Val

O’Hanlon said, “He was very good in fairness and ran all the way to the line. He jumps and travels away and we said we would make plenty of use of him.

“Keith (Donoghue on The Dasher Conway made a mistake down the back and gave me a chance to sit upside Sean (O’Keeffe on Scalor). He’s kept on really well.”