Cian Quirke times it right as Cast A Spell is rewarded for her busy schedule with mares' handicap hurdle win

The step back up to two and a half miles did the trick for the durable Cast A Spell as she thundered home to land the fourth victory of her career in the mares' handicap hurdle under a well-timed ride from 5lb claimer Cian Quirke.

Trained by Tom Hogan, the seven-year-old had a hectic 2024 with 16 outings, landing a Flat maiden at Killarney in October before getting off the mark over obstacles at Navan the following month.

However, she's been holding her form well, rarely finishing out of the frame, and put in another solid display when third behind Aurora Vega at Fairyhouse earlier this month. The step back up in trip seemed to play to her strengths as Quirke travelled kindly throughout and his mount produced a big leap at the second-last to dispute the lead with eventual third Gers Gigi and had plenty in reserve to repel runner-up Slim Marvel and score by a length and a quarter at odds of 10-3.

Hogan told Racing TV: "We give our horses everything they need and if you give them a bit of individual attention then they'll stay running for you. She'd do nothing at home so you nearly have to run her every fortnight.

"She might go for another handicap and can go back and win on the Flat, while she'll jump a fence as well."

Halo reigns

Kings Halo bounced back to form in the 2m4f handicap chase for trainer James Dullea, the ten-year-old staying on strongly to defeat The Little Yank by three lengths at odds of 14-1.

He was having his first run over fences since last February having tackled hurdles on his last two starts, and Danny Mullins guided him to an authoritative success.

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