A HORSE known as Hunskelper and trained by Paul Mulligan was heavily backed ahead of making its debut in the 5.25pm at Thurles today.
From odds as long as 66/1 in places, the filly had been backed in as short as 5/1 little more than an hour before they went under starters’ orders at the Tipperary racecourse.
A general view of Thurles Racecourse[/caption]
That was enough for fourth favourite in the race, with Eagle of Destiny and Galileo Sand the two favourites.
A half sister to three bumper winners, Irish trainer Mulligan’s horse has good pedigree but it’s thought some of the market moves were down to Celtic fans piling onto novelty bets ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm clash against Rangers.
The word ‘Hun’ is an offensive term used by some Hoops fans towards their city rivals – and the term ‘Hunskelper’ is a term which has no currency outwith the Old Firm rivalry.
The horse even plunged as short as 5-2 in places around 12.45pm, but drifted back a little.
And it wasn’t the result the horse’s backers had hoped for as it could do no better than a SIXTH-placed finish on its debut.
In the end, the race was won by 8-1 shot Tim Toe, ahead of Eagle of Destiny and Galileo Sand.
It comes after a week of upsets at the Cheltenham Festival, with Poniros running out a 100-1 winner of the Triumph on his first start over hurdles.
Former jockey Mulligan comes from Meath just north west of Dublin, with the horse’s owner listed as P Carry.
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