Rock Of Tuskar and Jordan Gainford (right) challenge at the last © Photo Healy Racing
Tuskar Rock (4/1) was produced late to win the Follow Kilbeggan Races On Facebook Opportunity Handicap Hurdle (80-102) (Div I).
Jordan Gainford’s mount challenged on the outer at the final flight and led early on the short run-in. The jockey went to give him a backhander just to make sure of victory 100 yards out only for the whip to go flying out of his hand, but the momentum had been built up at that stage anyway.
The Carlotamix gelding scored by a length and a half in the end from Swiss Brid (12/1).
Enjoying a good run with his summer jumpers, winning trainer Paul Nolan said: “He ran at Wexford (finished third) probably over the wrong trip (2m1f) and the ground had gone heavy.
“He’s a summer handicapper and thankfully has won one for the lads (Cross Of Kilrane Syndicate) from St Mary's GAA in Rosslare.
“The longer trip certainly helped and Jordan used his head. You have to jump well around here and he winged the last two. Only for that we were in trouble.
“He was about three lengths down turning in but he winged the last and that’s what won it for him.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
