Wayne Lordan pushes out Great Huzzar to win from Gunner Lindley in second© Photo Healy Racing
Great Huzzar who is part owned by Ronan Keating, battled gamely to win the Breeze Up at Gowran Park May 24th Handicap over 1m for trainer Tommy Stack with Wayne Lordan in the saddle.
The 4yo gelded son of Danehill Dancer was having just his third start in handicap company today and his sixth in total.
After two decent efforts in maidens last year he got it right on his third start winning at Roscommon on yielding to soft ground in June.
He then disappointed on his handicap debut at Tipperary in July before again finishing down the field on his seasonal debut last time out at the Curragh in March.
This afternoon he was held up in rear early before making progress into sixth three furlongs from home. He then travelled well entering straight and when ridden he responded well to lead under a furlong from home, staying on well to hold off the challenge of the 11/4 favourite Gunner Lindley for Reggie Roberts and Niall McCullagh.
Three parts of a length separated the pair at the line with a further length and three parts back to Park Ranger who was third at 9/1 for Christy Roche with Fran Berry aboard.
The winner opened on track at 8/1 and drifted out to 10/1 before being backed into 7/1 at the off.
Fozzy Stack, son of winning trainer Tommy, said afterwards: "He is a bit fragile really. He was lame for about a week after the Curragh and he takes a bit of managing.
"He needs soft ground and is better going seven furlong or a mile. It’s very much a day to day thing with him."
Donal Murphy & Gary Carson
