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Maciver grinds out follow up success

Maciver and Cian Quirke Maciver and Cian Quirke
© Photo Healy Racing

Maciver stayed on best in testing conditions to grind out victory in the two-mile-five handicap hurdle at Limerick.

The Arthur O’Grady-trained gelding travelled well to dispute turning for home but came off the bridle going to the second last.

He was under pressure in third jumping that flight but picked up gamely for Cian Quirke from the last to grab Mullanour in the closing stages and post a half-length victory.

The 3/1 favourite was following up on a wide margin success over fences at Tramore on New Year’s Day.

 O'Grady: "He had his ground but it didn't come as easy at Tramore the last day. 

"The jockey read the race to a tee and he said if he went for him any sooner, he mightn't have got him. A win is a win and we'll probably go for something similar now in three or four weeks.”

Only five horses completed the field from the 14 that lined up in attritional conditions.

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.