Jacko Star
Jacko Star kept on well to finish fourth in the second division of the two-mile maiden hurdle at Gowran Park on Saturday. Settled nicely in mid-division by Mark Walsh through the early part of the race, Philip Dempsey's horse made nice ground to move in just behind the leaders on the run to the home turn. He got out-paced when they quickened at the top of the home straight, but he stuck to his task well and, after getting in tight to the last and losing momentum, he stayed on well up the run-in to finish a close-up fourth behind the surprise winner Chase The Moon, just missing out on third place by a head. He was second fastest through the final furlong behind the winner, who finished off his race remarkably quickly, coming from an improbable position to get up and win going away.
This was just Jack Star's third run, and he is progressing with experience. All three runs have been over two miles or a little shorter, he shaped here as if he would benefit from a step up in trip. By Yeats and out of Jacksonslady, who finished third in a Munster National and in a Galway Plate, and who won the Latin Quarter Chase over the Galway Plate course and distance, that hypothesis is backed up by his pedigree. He has raced just three times over hurdles and he has the potential to go beyond his handicap rating of 109, especially if he steps up in trip now.
Gowran Park, 8th November 2025
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