Donal Murphy
Flanagan & Gibney take the last with Choose
Theturnofthesun just leads To Choose (nearest) over the last
© Photo Healy Racing
To Choose recorded his second win over flights as he took the last at Bellewstown, the King Bet Handicap Hurdle, under Mark Flanagan for Tom Gibney.
The six-year-old son of Choisir got off the mark over hurdles at Fairyhouse in April but was a bit disappointing on his two starts since.
Back in handicap company today he was sent off a 7/1 chance in the colours of Leonard Kinsella.
Settled in mid-division he was seventh with a circuit to race. He took closer order from four out and improved to challenge in second from the third last.
He was ridden on the run to the last and got to the front in the closing stages, scoring by three parts of a length. Colla Pier ran well to take second at 12/1 under Robbie Dunne for Patrick Mooney while Theturnofthesun (5/1) was a neck back in third for Kevin and Matthew Smith.
Gordon Elliott, who was seeking his eighth winner of the day, was represented by Disputed
The Gigginstown House Stud owned gelding was sent off the well-backed 6/4 favourite (from 15/8 on-course and from 3's this morning) under treble seeking Jack Kennedy but he could only manage a disappointing fourth.
Gibney said afterwards: "He liked the ground and everything suited him. I had high hopes for him at one stage but it didn't materialise.
"He has good bits and pieces of form and we knew when he put it all together that he was better than a 109 horse. We will consider Galway for him now."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson