Image © Healy Racing
Shiroccosmagicgem just got up in the shadows of the post as she pounced late to land the Gaultier Hunters Chase.
Shiroccosmagicgem just got up in the shadows of the post as she pounced late to land the Gaultier Hunters Chase.
With the form horse of the race Casey West ruled out due to the drying ground, the race was thrown wide out, and all ten runners held chances as the field was tightly grouped exiting out of the back straight.
That presented many traffic problems with space at a premium, and resulted in the favourite Dromleigh falling heavily at the penultimate fence.
At that point it was The Brickey Ranger, the Lisronagh maiden winner who was beaten some 56 lengths at Ballycrystal on his latest effort, at the head of affairs, as he battled past the long-time leader Lucky Policy.
But once Johnny Barry’s mount Shiroccosmagicgem struck top gear, she began to eat in his advantage and just got up in the dying strides to follow up three point victories with a first in Hunter Chase company by a head.
There was a further five lengths back to Lucky policy with Shark Hanlon’s Hardy Buck outrunning his 100/1 starting price to finish fourth.
The victory of the daughter of Shirocco, who is owned by valet Liam Cleary, was a first success on the racecourse for trainer Eddie Power.
Following a stewards enquiry, there was no alteration to the result.
