Slow-starting Jasikan lands gamble

The Michael Halford trained Jasikan landed a sizeable late gamble to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C&G) Maiden at Dundalk tonight, scoring under jockey Niall McCullagh.

Jasikan was a 9/2 chance on the opening show but was eventually returned the strong 7/4 favourite.

Veteran jockey McCullagh, whose jockey son Scott McCullagh has ridden 12 in Britain this year, is riding as well as ever and while Jasikan missed the break, McCullagh was quick to react and soon secured a prominent position on the son of Bated Breath. Jasikan eventually moved to the front over a furlong out and in the end held runner-up Thief Of Joy by half al length.

Halford later commented “he was slow out of the gate but Niall did well and he recovered quickly and got a lovely position.

“He travelled around lovely and just did enough when he got there. He's still quite raw and babyish.

“He had a nice run at the Curragh and we just gave him a chance after that and I'd say he'll be a nicer three-year-old.

“I've always liked him, he's always done things well, and it's nice to get a bracket with him.

“There's not a whole lot left for him and he's a horse that I think will come forward a lot over the winter.

“He had a lot growing up to do, he's still quite immature. At home he would be very professional but he was just a bit on the babyish side.

“He's a horse I think has a nice future.

“I'd say it was a good maiden because the second and third were very well fancied and we think plenty of him.”

Quotes from Gary Carson