Shotgun Jack © Photo Healy Racing
After Buddy One for the Gilligans in the preceding contest, Shotgun Jack was a second Athenry-trained winner on the Galway card when he routed his rivals in the COLM QUINN BMW Handicap Hurdle.
Fifth over a shorter trip here on handicap earlier in the month, the winner refused to settle in rear and Charlie O'Dwyer allowed him to gradually move up through the field. In front with a circuit to race, the five-year-old went clear after the second-last and strolled home to win by 13 lengths from Getaway Master
Generally available at 16/1 this morning, the winner was supported from 11/1 into 17/2 before the off.
Owned by Mark M Kelly, the Califet gelding is trained by Pat Kelly.
The latter's son Tony commented: "He ran well enough here the last day and we were worried about the trip today but in fairness Charlie gave him a great ride. For a young lad claiming he let him slip on because the horse didn't give him much of a chance.
"He gave him a great ride, he filled him up in front and did it nicely.
"We were hopeful - it was his second run in a handicap so we were hoping he would improve a small bit. He looks a nice horse and hopefully is a nice chaser in the making. He is a young big horse who needed a bit of time.
"We have seven or eight horses to run for the winter."
Quotes from Tom Weekes
