Sequestered, right, hunts down Stuzzikini© Photo Healy Racing
Sequestered and Jack Gilligan wore down Stuzzikini and Jack Kennedy in the final strides of the Ann Walsh Memorial Novice Hurdle at Galway.
Stuzzikini hadn't long got the better of Walhaan but he wasn't able to fend off Sequestered who was played late and wide to get up by half a length at 7/2 from the 10/3 runner-up.
Walhaan (20/1) had no more to give on the run-in and dropped away in third, a further nine lengths behind.
Paul Gilligan said: "He would have been a very unlucky loser, but I suppose the loose horse also did him a little favour as he brought him out on the better ground. I had said to Jack to go wide and pick the best ground.
"This is a fair good horse and I did think he would win, although was worried about the gluey ground. He didn't jump early, but I told Jack to leave him asleep for as long as he could."
"He will be on the boat to Cheltenham in November for a graded novice.Â
"His run behind Willie's (Mullins) High Class Hero at Listowel was a super run when Paul Townend probably just got a 'run' on Jack. He went on to win a Listed race at Limerick last week."
He added: "Thanks to Tom (Quinn) and Paul (Lyons) who invested in him and we're lucky we have nice horses. We got rid of the low-grade stuff, bought in good stamps of horses and have 10 riding out.Â
"We always had a lot more but going around the roads with low-grade stuff, finishing seventh or eighth, is no fun. These are the days you want and Tom (Quinn) joined us 18 months ago and brought in good owners with him. We'll try and buy more if we can."
The Gilligans also scored with Buddy One in a handicap hurdle at Galway yesterday.
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
