Great Ocean and Danny Gilligan © Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Cian Collins further advertised his talents when producing stable debutant Great Ocean from off a layoff to make a winning start to his chasing career in the Brenda Anderson Memorial Beginners Chase at Sligo.
Twice a successful over hurdles in Britain, the eight-year-old was not ignored in the market here, shortening from 14/1 to 8/1.
A former point-to-point scorer for Denis Murphy, the Great Pretender gelding stayed on strongly from out to throw down a strong challenge to leader Bigira at the final fence.
Leading on jumping that latter obstacle, jockey Danny Gilligan pushed the Collins trained gelding out to score by four-and-three-quarter lengths from Noble Talent
Danny Gilligan said: "It's a good start to his life over here. It's his first run in a while and he's done it well.
"I wanted to be forward but didn't want to force him and I just had him where he was happy. He picked up down to the last and hit the line well.
"Cian is doing a great job with the horses he has. He's always looking for his next winner, is improving the yard at home the whole time and has great people working for him which is a massive thing."
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan.
