College Boy and Fran Berry lead© Photo Healy Racing
Owner J.P. McManus was fancied to win a division of the Social Package Handicap at Cork today but in the end the apparent lesser fancied of his two, College Boy caused a 10/1 upset in the second divide, providing trainer Conor O'Dwyer with a first Flat winner.
Ridden by Fran Berry, College Boy, which began his career point to pointing before disappointing recently over hurdles, eventually stayed on well for a two and a half lengths win over Cookie Crumbles
Half an hour earlier, in the opening division of the race, McManus' Ring Them Bells was the subject of a gamble (7/1 into 7/2) but could only manage fifth place.
College Boy's trainer Conor O'Dwyer wasn't present for what was first Flat winner but Berry subsequently stated “they went off very fast in front and stamina won out in the end. That's my first winner for Conor.”
By Thomas Weekes