SHUNTER ON TRACK IN THE MOREBATTLE
The Shunter did it nicely in the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso.
Emmet Mullins’ star was a hot 5-2 jolly for the Grade 2 after a fine third over fences at Leopardstown.
The gelding clearly relished returning to timber as he chased a frantic pace under Alain Cawley.
The eight-year-old hit the front two out and he stayed on well to beat Night Edition (10/1) by a length.
Mullins said: “They went a ferocious gallop and the pace collapsed halfway
through. It turned into a war of attrition and Alain Cawley was good and was strong on him.
“Anything we’ve asked the horse to do, he keeps coming up trumps for us. Fingers crossed he’ll go to Cheltenham now.”
boys have also had to do without purses for all that time.There’s been nothing for the boxers up here. Unless you have Sky or BT showing it, putting on a show would be like setting fire to money.
“It’s not difficult, it’s impossible once you think how much it costs for the constant testing and all the other things that would need to be done, all without a single ticket being sold.
“When it comes to a promotion, overheads are high at the best of times but those costs have spiralled as a result of the pandemic.
“It costs thousands to put people – boxers, trainers, corner men, officials – in hotels. Then, if one boxer was to return a positive test, you could be shut down anyway. Plus you’ll struggle to find a sponsor for a show that isn’t on TV.”
But Wilson insists that Scottish boxing will bounce back and added: “My plan is to re-open the St Andrew’s in September and start afresh with a new season. People will be desperate to get out.”