A GAMBLE went astray in the Langholm Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Down Royal yesterday when Finaway Express, supported from 5 to 1 to 3 to 1 and travelling extremely well with a four lengths advantage overs struggling rivals, stumbled on the run to the second last flight and broke his near fore.
His tragic exit left Bobbyjo and Joey Donnelly in front and the Tommy Carberry trained six year old stayed on under pressure to hold the favourite Macallister by one and a half lengths.
"We will go for another handicap, and I have to say we were a very fortunate winner, with Finaway Express breaking down when looking all over a winner," said Carberry.
Panicked took the first division of the Dumfries Maiden Hurdle by three quarters of a lengths for the Michael Cunningham stable. In the second division, Zabargar, partnered by Conor O'Dwyer, was subject to substantial support from even money to 4 to 7 but was denied by 16 to 1 chance Innovative, partnered by Brendan Sheridan. The Dictator fell when well beaten at the last but broke a shoulder and had to be destroyed.
David Evans deputised for The Dictator's badly shaken rider, Liam Cusack, on Ofahengaue in the Beginners Chase. The partnership stayed on strongly from the third last despite Evans losing an iron to score by two lengths and provide Tom Lacy with some compensation for the loss of The Dictator.
The Auchtermuchty Maiden Hurdle resulted in a three way photo, with the Jim Dreaper trained Clogrecon Boy recovering after losing considerable ground at the start to hold off the persistent DunBelle and the renewed challenge of Ivy Boy.
. With Rough Quest having a rest for the remainder of the season, the three horses who got nearest to him in Saturday's Martell Grand National have stood their ground for the Stakis Casinos sponsored Scottish equivalent at Ayr a fortnight on Saturday.
Terry Casey's 10 year old was never entered for the £65,000 chase but Encore Un Peu, Superior Finish and Sir Peter Lely, respectively second, third and fourth at Aintree, all feature among the 58 latest acceptors revealed yesterday.
Six other horses beaten at Aintree Life Of A Lord, Party Politics, Captain Dibble, Chatam, Wylde Hide and Vicompt de Valmont also figure.
. Trainer Jack Berry was breathing a huge sigh of relief at Hamilton Park yesterday as he finally secured his first juvenile turf success of the year with Northern Sal in the Rutherglen Median Auction Stakes.
