Racing: Hassett a Stack of talent

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Apr 18, 2004 | by MICHAEL CLOWER

MAKE a note of the name Shane Hassett.

The 16-year-old rode his first winner at Listowel yesterday and Tommy Stack tips him for the top.

Stack should know. He was champion jump jockey in Britain, won the Grand National on Red Rum and has trained a classic winner.

He said: "Shane has a big future and I believe he could be the next Tony McCoy.

"He is a very good rider, he has schooled a lot of horses for Edward O'Grady and both Barry Geraghty and Norman Williamson think a lot of him."

Williamson spent Friday night in Dublin's Blanchardstown Hospital after dislocating his ankle in a car crash.

But he would have admired the tremendous final furlong run with which Hassett brought Stack's Hollow Quaill in the Kerry Median Auction Maiden.

The ground was bottomless after continuous rain from 8.30 am and today's meeting is subject to a 7am inspection.

But Declan Gillespie landed a double with Sudden Silence and Tackcoat.

The going was too testing for many of the Flat horses.

However, it was ideal for Coolnahilla who came home 20 lengths clear under Keith Hadnett in the Feale Handicap Chase to put an end to his run of seconditis.

A delighted Liam Burke said: "He was to have gone for the Paddy Power Chase at Christmas, but he gave himself a knock on a joint and he never got his ground until today.

"He is a relentless galloper and he will win a decent race one day."