Andrew Nelis racing

Make A Challenge made a swift return to action pay dividends by securing back-to-back Listed wins in the Abergwaun Stakes at Navan. Denis Hogan's charge hit the target at the Curragh last Saturday and reappearing just seven days later, he again took gold under Joe Doyle. Sent off the 4-9 favourite in a contest saved over from Tipperary's cancelled meeting on Thursday, Make A Challenge was not the best away but he travelled smoothly through the five-furlong heat before Doyle let him edge in front of Elzaamone inside the distance....                   Andrew Nelis Racing 

Denis Hogan is plotting a path via Saturday’s Curragh Sprint Stakes for his consistent gelding Make A Challenge. The five-year-old is due to line up in the Listed six-furlong contest as he prepares for future Group One engagements. Twice a winner this season after clocking up six successes last term, the son of Invincible Spirit was last seen coming home just a length behind A’Ali in the Group Two Holden Plant Rentals Sapphire Stakes. Hogan now has his eye on a handful of top-flight sprints and is hoping this weekend’s run will serve as the perfect preparation. “We’re looking forward to it,” he said. “He’s just had a freshen up since his last run, I suppose we’re aiming for the Flying Five at the Curragh on Champions Weekend, on September 13. “These are all stepping stones for there really. Speak In Colours will be hard to beat, but he’s beaten him this season already. We’re not expecting to just turn up and win or anything, but we think it’ll bring him on for the Flying F...

Tue 4 Aug 2020 Denis Hogan  has been dealt a “devastating” blow with the death of crack sprinter  Sceptical . Unraced for Godolphin, the four-year-old cost just £2,800 at the sales and proved a real star for Hogan and owners Hilltop Racing. He won four races in a row, including the Listed Woodlands Stakes at Naas, before travelling to Royal Ascot for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, finishing a close third under Frankie Dettori to Hello Youmzain and Dream Of Dreams.                         Andrew Nelis Racing 

A trip to York for the Nunthorpe is the next major target for Sceptical following another excellent effort in defeat in Saturday's Darley July July Cup. Denis Hogan's four-year-old has made remarkable progress since opening his account at Dundalk in November - going on to complete a hat-trick at the County Louth venue before landing a Listed prize at Naas and finishing a half-length third in the King's Stand at Royal Ascot...                     Andrew Nelis racing 

ceptical is attracting support ahead of the July Cup over six furlongs in Newmarket on Saturday. Denis Hogan's charge has gone from strength to strength since winning his maiden at Dundalk in November. He went on to pick up two handicaps on the Poytrack, before landing a LIsted contest at Naas in June. It was his last performance, though, that marked him out as a top-level sprinter as he was beaten a head and a neck into third in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes over six furlongs at Royal Ascot. Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “Irish raider Sceptical was a wafer-thin beaten favourite in third last time in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, where Frankie Dettori was just denied a four-timer, but punters have been more than happy to forgive that reversal and Denis Hogan’s speedball has now halved in price into 3/1 from as big as 6/1.” Clive Cox's Golden Horde, who won the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, remains favourite with Paddy Power at...

Denis Hogan is excited to see Sceptical test his powers at the highest level in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. A son of Exceed And Excel out of a Royal Ascot winner in Jealous Again, the four-year-old has made rapid progress since finishing third on his Dundalk debut last October. After rattling off a hat-trick of wins at Ireland's sole all-weather venue, Sceptical made a smooth transition to the grass when running out a hugely impressive winner of the Listed Woodlands Stakes at Naas earlier in the month - booking his ticket for Saturday's final Group One of the Royal meeting..                   Denis Hogan is excited to see Sceptical test his powers at the highest level in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. A son of Exceed And Excel out of a Royal Ascot winner in Jealous Again, the four-year-old has made rapid progress since finishing third on his Dundalk debut last October. After rattling off a h...