High hopes for Hogmanay following pre-Christmas win Hogmanay was a pre-Christmas impressive juvenile winner today, shedding his maiden tag 46 days before turning three on New Year's Day, in Dundalk's View Restaurant Median Auction Maiden. Out of Group 3 winner Gossamer Seeds, Hogmanay (18/1) was second-best behind Elusive Tune (5/1) of his trainer Joseph O'Brien's pair for the race and quickened smartly in the closing stages, beating 75-rated Blue News by three parts of a length. Winning jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle said “he jumped good from the gates. He was comfortable the whole way and he picked up good when I asked him up the straight. He hit the line well and would have no problem going a mile as well. “I thought (coming here today) he would sharpen up for the run but his ability got him through.” O'Brien's assistant Brendan Powell added “I know he’s been doing everything well at home but they had to geld him as he was a bit of a cheeky monkey. “He’s tough, hardy and will stay further. For first time out it was good and he hadn’t had a barrier trial. I think there is a massive improvement in him and is out of a very good mare. “He’s not the biggest in the world but has enough size and I think he will go forward.” Quotes from Alan Magee
