Son Of Hypnos and Shane Fitzgerald (right) chase the leaders on the home turn © Photo Healy Racing
Three-time Flat winner Son Of Hypnos (11/1) got off the mark under National Hunt rules in the angloprinters.ie Handicap Hurdle.
The Morpheus gelding had a nice position tracking the leaders on the inside when getting the second last wrong, and Shane Fitzgerald had to bring his mount around rivals on the home turn. He still had plenty to do in fourth at the last but stayed on strongly to collar Donthavetime close home and win by half a length.
The 4-year-old’s initial Flat win had come at Galway a year ago over a mile and a half, and he was a making his first start in a handicap over hurdles after being placed a couple of times in maidens.
Winning trainer Kevin Smith said: “My heart was in my mouth for a second coming to the second last. When he got out and got room he did it well.
“I think he'll get further. That was great and I'm delighted for my father (owner Kevin senior)
“He won on the Flat here as well when (brother) Matthew had him. We'll wait and see what the handicapper does now before making a plan, we have a couple of things in mind.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
