Champagne Auction (left) wins from Light Parade © Photo Healy Racing
Unplaced in seven starts for three previous trainers, and pulled up on the latest two of those, Champagne Auction sprang a 40/1 surprise in the second split of the 80-95 handicap hurdle as the rain continued to hammer down at Cork.
The winner's bright yellow and green silks were always visible in the gloom as he raced close to the pace throughout under Sean O'Keeffe. The Geordieland gelding led two out and stayed on well to see off Light Parade by a length and three quarters.
The winner was starting off here for trainer Sean Aherne, who said: "I got him at the end of May, he was doing all the right things at home but it was hard to fancy him on his form. I was hopeful of a good run and he'll go for something similar now.
"The owner Joe Taylor is a friend of Eoin Barry, who I have horses for, and both are in construction in Boston. Joe has a few horses with me now and I'm delighted for him."
Quotes from Tom Weekes
