Gaspar leaves punters gasping

PUNTERS were left gasping for breath after 16-1 shot Gaspar, the outsider of the five runners, trounced his rivals in the Grade 3 Phil Sweeney Memorial Chase at a bitingly cold Thurles yesterday.

Dashingly handled by Michael Darcy, the James McAuley-trained eight-year-old made every yard of the running. He maintained a relentless gallop through the final mile, crossing the line comfortably ahead of Preists Leap.

Commented McAuley: “We didn’t expect to win, but he is a good genuine horse. I just hope Noel (O’Brien, handicapper) doesn’t go to town on him after this.”