The Echo Boy and JJ Slevin win the William Hill Handicap Steeplechase © Photo Healy Racing
J J Slevin showed once again why he is one of the leading up and coming young riders in the country with a race winning move which caught his rivals unaware aboard The Echo Boy in the William Hill Extra Places Daily Handicap Chase at Kilbeggan.
Slevin sat of the pace in the early stages of the contest but settled the issue when kicking on over half-a-mile from home. That sudden injection of pace certainly caught a few rivals by surprise and the Wexford man had matters in same keeping from two out.
A dual previous winner, The Echo Boy had shown little in three runs since returning from a layoff but was much sharper here and on this performance he looks capable of further success.
“He's a very good spin and the boys told me beforehand that he's a very good leaper,” said Slevin.
“Dermot and James (Griffin) came up with a plan to blow the race apart out in the country. They hatched that plan, I said I'd keep him going and thankfully it worked out.
“They said that he'd like the track, he jumps well, and to try and get a few good jumps out the back and make his way home.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
