Shanahan full of praise for 'workaholic' Hanmer as Diamond delivers again

Saturday: Bangor

Jockey William Shanahan credited Costly Diamond as the horse who changed his career after recording a fifth win aboard the Gary Hanmer-trained mare in the feature 2m4½f handicap chase.

Shanahan, who enjoyed a career-best season last term, steered the eight-year-old to a 35-length success at Sedgefield on Tuesday and the pair were swifty back in the winner’s enclosure as Costly Diamond gamely held on to score by half a length under a penalty.

"She’s just incredible," said the winning rider to Sky Sports Racing. "She’s changed my career really.

"She got me going this time last year and I had a very bad fall shortly after and I said ‘that’s my chance gone now’. But Gary has been very good to me and Mr Kelly [owner] put me back on her. To come back and do what she did today after winning like she did on Tuesday is serious."

Of Hanmer, who secured a quickfire double on the day when Kevin Brogan guided Daranova to a first win at the 18th attempt in the 3m novice handicap chase, Shanahan added: "Gary’s a phenomenal trainer, he’s kept that mare on the go all year long and she’s more or less been in great form. He’s a complete workaholic.

"He’s got a lovely small team around him but whether it’s fixing his hand on the gallops, mucking out, cleaning out water pots, jump-starting the tractor, you name it, Gary’s doing the whole lot."

Leading lights

Last season's leading trainer and jockey at the track were quickly off the mark with Brian Hughes guiding Kerosine Light to a winning stable debut for Donald McCain in the 2m½f maiden hurdle. Into The Sunset, another Irish recruit, made a winning handicap debut to complete a double for the pair later on the card.

Results, replays and analysis

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