Alphonse Le Grande (nearest)© Photo Healy Racing
English import Alphonse Le Grande landed a few bets when getting up close home under Ronan Whelan in the first division of the extended ten-furlong handicap.
20/1 this morning and backed from 12s into 7/1 before the off, the Sea The Stars gelding came from the back of the field and challenged down the stands' side to touch off Wonder Spirit and The Lion Strikes by a neck and the same.
A nursery winner at Wolverhampton this time last year, winning trainer Ray Cody acquired him for 10,000 guineas out of Ed Dunlop's yard in August.
"To be honest I didn't know what to expect. He had 17 runs in England and one win, he has ability but maybe his first run was the time to catch him,” said Cody.
“I told Ronan to drop him in, get him settled, and just go from there. The owners said they'd like to have a few pounds on but I told them not to and that I wouldn't have a penny on him today. I didn't think he'd even be fit enough.
“The race fell into his lap a bit, they went hard early on and that maybe suits him. He arrived there and I was delighted, it's great to win a race for the lads.
“Ronan said to maybe put a pair of cheekpieces on him the next day and said he'd probably go further.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
