Ranger Billy, near side, wins from True Destiny © Photo Healy Racing
Ranger Billy won a battle with True Destiny to land the first division of the opportunity handicap hurdle in Kilbeggan.
The 4/1 joint favourites had the spoils to themselves racing to the last and it was True Destiny who led briefly at the last, however, Ranger Billy had his measure on the run-in and went on by a length and a-quarter. Chief Seattle was some 16 lengths adrift in third at 13/2.
“It's great for Gerry, the man who owns him, who is from Galway,” said trainer Eoin Doyle.
“Over the winter he wasn't going on the heavier ground. We changed a few things at home and started training him outside, he seems to have turned the corner a bit now.
“He was running well enough in races but just wasn't getting home, over shorter trips. It seems that he's in his comfort zone over three miles.
“He seems to be well handicapped and should get another one of those over the summer. He's a good fun horse for the summer.
“Michael (O'Sullivan) gave him a great ride, sure he was the best jockey in the race and that's no disrespect to any other jockey. He got him jumping and into a great rhythm.
“It's great to get a win out of him. The second horse ran well there, but he seemed to be holding him the whole way.
“He's a fine big horse and he'll jump a fence. Obviously he wants that summer ground and he wants a trip. It took us a while to find that out but we did anyway.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
