Calum Hogan Follows in Father's Footsteps with Victory on Say It So

Calum Hogan mirrored his father Ray's success by steering Say It So to victory in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.

Ray Hogan won this same race in 1996 aboard Tidjani, and 28 years later, it was Calum's turn to claim the honours, marking his first win over hurdles.

One of two runners trained by Eric McNamara in the race, Say It So was sent off as a 10/1 shot, racing in the colours of Cian, Damien, Joe, and Mike Wilmot.

On his handicap debut over hurdles, the four-year-old Dragon Pulse gelding settled behind the leaders before sharing the lead after three out. He surged ahead approaching the straight, quickly extending his lead to win by a comfortable 12 lengths.

Attempting to secure a quick double, Ross O'Sullivan and Tom Harney's Targa Flavio (7/1) finished second, while Say It So's stablemate, also named Say It So (16/5 favourite), came in another four lengths back in third.

Eric McNamara commented, "We felt he received a fair mark over hurdles last year, so we had this race in mind for quite some time. I’m delighted it worked out, and all the owners are local from Rathkeale. Calum works with us full-time and is a 7lb claimer. While he’s relatively inexperienced over jumps, he’s a talented lad with a promising career ahead. His father Ray rode the winner of this race many years ago."