Important Message (right, Danny Hand up) chases down Resurrected Duke and J J Slevin© Photo Healy Racing
With odds-on favourite Presenting Dylan disappointing badly, the Race Displays Handicap Hurdle at Gowran was opened up. Important Message was the one to step forward, taking the honours at 33/1.
Always to the fore under Danny Hand, it looked like the David Dunne-trained Important Message might have to play second fiddle when Resurrected Duke led before two out.
However, the victor, successful at Bellewstown in July at odds of 14/1, rallied well on the run-in, getting up to score by three parts of a length.
Presenting Dylan was a bit keen and didn’t always impress with his hurdling. He ended up finishing last of the ten finishers, in his attempt to follow up on a Roscommon win from Monday.
“He had a snotty nose the day after his last run so I was able to draw a line through it. He worked very well last week and I knew he was back to himself,” said Dunne.
“I told Danny to be handy and use his stamina. I thought coming off the Flat that he was a doubtful stayer but now it looks like he’s a real tough stayer.
“He’s a good ground horse and we have a nice handicap mark on the Flat so if the ground does go against us we’ll be going to Dundalk with him.”
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Presenting Dylan, trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
(AM & EM)
