Poet prevails on second start for Hogan

Golden Poet took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle on just his second start for Denis Hogan.

Previously trained Andrew McNamara, and successful in a bumper at Kilbeggan in June of 2016, the son of Urban Poet finished down the field on his debut for Hogan last month.

Well-supported from fancy prices before Sunday's scheduled race, bookmakers weren't taking any chances this time around.

Available at just 10s in early shows, he eventually went off a 7/1 chance in the colours of DPOJ Partnership.

Settled behind the leaders he was fourth approaching the second last, and improved to lead before the next.

A peck on landing at the last almost proved costly, however he quickly regained his composure, going on to score by a length and a half. Konig Hall (6/1) finished second under Jonathan Moore for Anthony McCann, while Toor General (11/1) kept on into third, another two and three parts of a length back. Lockeen Girl was sent off the 7/2 favourite, and she finished seventh under David Mullins for his father Tom.

"That was great. They are local owners so it's always good to win here," said Hogan.

"Fair play to the track for re-staging it so quickly. One of the owners is on the committee and he texted me on Sunday morning when I was just about to leave to say racing was called off.

"I was gutted and nearly got sick because I fancied this lad strongly. I thought he'd win today but it was a competitive handicap and you still have to go and do it. He carried 11-8.

"I nearly fell off him at the last but other than that he was straight-forward enough.

"It's just mighty for the yard because every horse is running well even in defeat. They are all hitting the crossbar, going over or going under.

"It keeps the staff happy, the owners happy and makes my job easy."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson