Donal Murphy
Pan Wandle springs a surprise in the bumper
Pan Wandle (right) is driven out by Damian Skehan in the closing stages
© Photo Healy Racing
Pan Wandle sprang a surprise in the bumper at Clonmel, the Killahora INH Flat Race, scoring under Damian Skehan for James Barrett.
The six-year-old son of Croco Rouge failed to score on seven starts in point-to-points and he was well-beaten on his racecourse debut in a bumper at Cork.
He finish a decent fourth to Snapchat in a maiden hurdle at Listowel on his last start and he was sent off at 16/1 today.
Settled in rear he made good progress on the outer as they approached the straight.
He was ridden in second two furlongs out and hit the front with a furlong left to race, staying on well from there to score by a length and three parts. Table Tips who was prominent throughout, was sent off the 6/4 favourite and he finished second under Johnny King for Robert Tyner, while Jenmarie (13/2 to 5/1) was a length and a quarter back in third under Jane Mangan for her father Jimmy.
Damian Skehan remarked: "He did it well. They went plenty quick enough in front. He travelled well and we sat and waited. When I gave him a kick in the belly he picked up well.
“He's improved every time and is a late maturing type. He wants that good ground. He'll jump a fence in time.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson