What About Bob and Andrew Breslin (far side) beat Empress Lyla© Photo Healy Racing
What About Bob held on at the line to spring a 33/1 shock in the seven-furlong nursery at Gowran Park.
Andrew Breslin was mid-division on his mount early on, after coming from a wide draw in the seven-furlong contest, but made swift progress to lead after three furlongs.
The Christy Roche-trained gelding, sporting blinkers for the first time, stuck on well down the straight as the challengers pressed. Empress Lyla stayed on best inside the final furlong but the post just came in time for What About Bob as he recorded a head victory.
The winner had shown some promise when mid-division on his debut at Fairyhouse back in June but had been well beaten in four runs since, including in nurseries on his last two outings.
"He was on his last chance, and that was certainly a surprise. We put a pair of blinkers on him and they seem to have made a difference,” said Roche.
"The young lad gave him a good ride."
(Quotes by Alan Magee)