Mogwli gets McCreery off the mark for the season

It was all change in the final furlong of the Fairyhouse.ie 3-y-o Handicap over 6f as the pace-setting Sebs Star began to weaken and come back to the chasing pack.

Nathan Crosse on Mogwli (4/1) had to fight his corner to get a gap between the fading leader and Via Veneto but once in the clear Mogwli ran to just hold the late challenge of The Cola Kid (12/1) by a head, with another closer Take My Hand (20/1) a further length and a half away in third place. There was no alteration to the placings following a stewards' enquiry.

The winner was fourth a couple of times in a busy campaign at two, and showed the benefit of a mid-division run at Leopardstown last week. Apparently unlucky when a place ahead of Mogwli in that same Leopardstown heat, Slade Runner was sent off 11/10 favourite here but could only keep on late for a non-threatening fourth.

“My wife bred him so I'm delighted. We have a half-brother going to the sales at the end of the year and the dam (Susiescot) has bred two winners from two runners,” said winning trainer Willie McCreery.

“He's a tough, hardy, little fella and he's for the apprentices to ride. I have two apprentices signing on and he'll keep them going for the rest of the year.

“He's bomb-proof and loves his racing, hopefully he'll pay for himself.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson