Spike in number of big-priced winners continues

There has been a spike in the numbers of big priced winners in Ireland since lockdown ended and the latest was 40/1 chance Sean Says which landed the Adare Handicap Hurdle at Limerick today.

Today's jumps fixture had earlier seen 100/1 chance Some Spin win the second division of the geldings' maiden and Sean Says, for trainer Rodger Sweeney, added to the big-priced-winners' haul.

Four year old filly Sean Says was today partnered by jockey Philip Enright and beat a pair of John Joe Walsh trained runners, second-placed Ballyegan Hero and third Broder

Afterwards Salsify's trainer Sweeney stated “she won a good four year old hurdle at Punchestown last January but was running against older horses afterwards.

“You'd be disappointed with her run the last day as I thought she'd win.

“I'll bring her on slowly as she is only four and I'll have a chat with Colman (Sweeney, son) and see where we go next.”

The current absence of on-course bookmakers at racecourses has changed the way starting prices are calculated and while, anecdotally, over-rounds are somewhat similar, more 'fancier' prices are being returned.

Today's 100/1 winner was the third such priced winner in Ireland since lockdown, along with an 80/1 and four 50/1 victors.

Put in context, Change The Rules' 100/1 win at Gowran in 2016 ended a 13 year drought between triple-digit winners.