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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Hail off mark in dramatic contest

Thu 6th Sep 2012, 17:04

Hail powers clear for winHail powers clear for win
© Photo Healy Racing

Hail opened his account in the ten furlong maiden at Clonmel but the race was marred by the fall of Caliente

The Fran Berry-ridden front-runner appeared to be badly injured and came to grief as she crossed the road at the two furlong marker. Nia's Caul who was under pressure in seventh, was badly hampered and unshipped Ronan Whelan.

7/4 favourite Three Kingdoms was left in the lead but he was soon headed by Hail, who powered clear inside the final furlong for a three-and-three-quarter length success. Precious Stone kept on in the closing stages to grab the runner-up spot.

The 11/4 winner was gaining an overdue success and had been beaten favourite in handicap company in Wexford last time.

"He's entitled to win that and he has been running well," said rider Joseph O'Brien.

"He handled the ground and it's yielding out there."

Ronan Whelan walked away after his spill but Fran Berry was still be attended to after the race.

Berry was reported as being conscious and having a suspected shoulder injury. Dr John Downey revealed that he had gone to Clonmel hospital for x-rays.

(On course reporting by Alan Magee)

1st
11/4
Tote €3.50 €1.40
2nd
3.75L
11/4
€1.10
3rd
0.75L
7/4Fav
€1.02
4th
16L
50/1
About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.