AMID the doom and gloom that emanates from racing circles sometimes, it is refreshing to hear a young gun insist that the opportunities exist with a lot of hard work, the willingness to stick your neck out a bit and a healthy dollop of luck.

Denis Hogan does not have a wealthy patron but at 30, he has already been training for eight years. He has landed some nice pots courtesy of Killellshan and Jack The Wire over obstacles, and this year, Thithonus on the double in the flat game but he is by no means a major player. Yet he is making a living, with between 35 and 40 horses under his care at present, while continuing to ride as a professional.