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Maciver brings up plenty of bets in nightcap

Aodhan May, right, refuses at the last as Maciver gallops homeAodhan May, right, refuses at the last as Maciver gallops home
© Photo Healy Racing

There was drama in the concluding Tom Carroll Memorial Handicap Chase when Aodhan May who was pursuing the leader Maciver refused at the final fence.

She stalked Maciver in the final circuit of this staying test over an extended 2m6f and Philip Byrnes hadn't asked her for her full effort as the race unfolded coming to the last.

The 6/4 favourite was a couple of lengths in arrears of Maciver, but refused and left Maciver to come home in glorious isolation by 25 lengths for trainer Arthur O'Grady. He went off at a well-backed 12/1. Midweek Voices plodded on for second at 8/1 and was five lengths clear of The Dooner Citizen (18/1).

Jockey Cian Quirke said: "I had never sat on him before and he had been disappointing for a while, but the lads were saying that if I had him revved up at the start, and if he jumped off, he'd have a right chance.

"Fair play to the O'Gradys, they did all the work with him and it's nice to get a winner for them.

"He travelled and jumped so easy and I was able to fill him up every time between fences. I had loads left going to the last and I think I would have beaten the favourite regardless.

"He won here before and even some of his family have won here too, so they obviously have a liking for Tramore.

"I've five winners left on the 5lb claim and this is a nice way to start the new year."

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.