Adams Barbour, centre, gets his head down in front of Maggie Thunder© Photo Healy Racing
Adams Barbour rallied to great effect to serve up an 80/1 shock in the second split of the six-furlong handicap at Dundalk.
The three-year-old gelding was prominent from the stalls and picked up the lead after a furlong with Alan Persse doing the steering.
The leader came under the whip a furlong and a half out as a host of challengers queued up in behind. Maggie Thunder emerged to dispute the lead inside the final furlong. The pair fought out the spoils all the way to the line and it looked like Maggie Thunder was getting the better of the scrap, but Adams Barbour stuck his head out gamely to land the verdict.
Runner-up Maggie Thunder (5/2) lost little in defeat and was half a length in front of Keepthebestsideout (13/2).
Trainer Lee Smyth said: “He’s a half-brother to a filly (Ty Rock Brandy) that won three times for us over five furlongs.
“It’s taken him a bit of time to come to himself and the last few runs were on soft ground. That’s his first time on the all-weather and he’s kicked on well.
“He’s very tough and was headed on the run-in but got the job done. He’s not quite as sharp as his sister but is equally tough.
“The horses have been in bad form and it’s just great to get a winner. It’s a welcome surprise.
“The owner Dr David Adam is a massive supporter of the yard and I’m delighted for him. We got this horse for him as a yearling and he’s waited for him.”
The Stewards interviewed A.C. Persse, rider of Adams Barbour, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that A.C. Persse was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended A.C. Persse for two race days.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
