Broomfields Jeremy, far side, nimble over the last© Photo Healy Racing
A swift jump at the final flight enabled Broomfields Jeremy to hang on in the two and a half mile handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse for father and son Philip and Luke Dempsey.
He moved into contention behind the leader Tullyveery Lad racing to the second last and hit the front upon touching down.
He was strongly pressed by Silvertown racing to the last but got away from it on a good stride and responded to Luke Dempsey's urgings to keep at it. Carrarea flashed home on the run-in to make it a very interesting finish but Broomfields Jeremy stuck to his task to repel him by a head.
The winner's SP was 13/2 while the runner-up went off at 15/2. Silvertown was half a length back in third at 16/1. Each-way backers drew a dividend from fourth-placed Tullyveery Lad (7/1).
Philip Dempsey said: “He battled well and I’m delighted with him. He was always a horse you were hoping was going to do something like that.
“Clonmel the last day was a bit of a mess and two light-weights got away. He jumped much better out of that ground today and Luke gave him a great ride.
“The owner Ray Fitzgerald has a few horses with me so I’m delighted for him as well.
“He had a hard enough race today and we’ll see how he comes out of it. We’ll probably find something for him around Christmas.”
The six-year-old gelding won his maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan in September last year and took a rated novice hurdle at Clonmel in January.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
