West Is Awake and Phillip Enright (nearest) get up to beat The Grey Lad © Photo Healy Racing
West Is Awake sprouted wings on the run-in to lands the spoils in the two-mile-three handicap hurdle at Naas this afternoon.
Eddie Cawley 's charge was well punted from 14/1 into 4/1 but was under pressure early in the straight as Phillip Enright was rowing along in ninth position.
The Fame And Glory gelding stayed on into fourth at the final flight but still had five lengths to find on the front pair, The Grey Lad and No Thanks
He really started to motor in the closing stages, however, and got on top near the line to deny The Grey Lad by a neck.
The winner had been well held on his handicap debut at Navan earlier in the month and was making his fifth outing over hurdles having been placed in a bumper on his debut.
Cawley said:- “We thought all winter the horses were in good shape but not one of them fired. I rarely have a winner in the depths of winter but as soon as the spring comes the horses run better.
“I didn’t think he was going to win and coming off the last bend I thought we’d be lucky to be third.
“Phillip said every time he asked him he went on for him. I’m delighted to get his head in front and we’ll find something similar for him.”
(Quotes by Alan Magee)
