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Shigar does enough to hold late Chariot run

Shigar and Chris Hayes Shigar and Chris Hayes
© Photo Healy Racing

Well placed throughout under Chris Hayes, the William Durkan trained Shigar held on close home to run out a narrow winner of the Curragh To Curragh Charity Cycle On This Saturday Handicap at Navan.

Prominent in the early stages, despite a wide draw in 17, the nicely backed 13/2 chance tracked leader Gibbs Island for much of the race.

In a contest where very few managed to get into it from off the pace, Shigar travelled strongly into the straight before heading the Andy Oliver trained Gibbs Island over a furlong out.

Hayes then had to be at his strongest inside the final 150 yards, as one of the few closers, Sea Chariot came with a strong late run down the outside under Shane Foley.

At the finish, the Durkan trained gelding held on to prevail by half-a-length.

Gary Bannon, assistant to Bill Durkan said: “He bled unfortunately after his race in Galway. I don’t know whether it was the ease in the ground that might have caused it.

“He’s been consistent all year and the handicapper has given him a chance and dropped him down 2lb to 80. He’s probably deserved to get his head in front.

“It’s great for Bill, that’s ten for the year for us. We’re a small team and it’s brilliant.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee.

1st
13/2
Tote €8.30 €2.30
2nd
0.5L
7/1
€1.60
3rd
nose
4/1Fav
€1.20
4th
0.5L
9/1
€3.00
About John O'Riordan
John has worked for the Press Association since 2022. He also writes a weekly column for The Irish Field and is a regular contributor to the Irish Racing Yearbook. He has previously written for the Racing Post, Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mirror. He has been involved in racing for over three decades; having experience as a syndicate member, sole owner and breeder.