Bertimont and Sean Corby, second right, come home well in Leopardstown© Photo Healy Racing
Sean Corby had to sit and suffer on Bertimont as the openings refused to appear, but when he saw a gap deep inside the final furlong he pushed his mount through to win the mile and a quarter handicap in Leopardstown.
Sporting the silks of owner Christopher Giles, 10lb-claimer Corby could be seen travelling well behind a wall of horses as Windsor Queen made a bold bid to do it from the front. The 33/1 outsider burst upon the scene to deny 10/1 chance Neophilia (who was always to the fore) by half a length. Cest Notre Gris completed the places at 16/1.
Trainer James Lambe said: “He’s a nice horse. If you went through his form he was a 140-rated horse in France over hurdles. He won two hurdles and was Listed placed. We bought him at Arqana. The plan if he comes out of this ok is to go to Ayr in 13 days time. He has an entry in the Scottish Champion Hurdle. If not, he could run in the champion four-year-old race at Punchestown.
“He was six lengths behind a horse that was second in the Triumph Hurdle, giving him weight. It’s great for the owner Mr Giles. He has a lot of horses with Paul Nicholls. It’s great that he had the faith to send me a horse in Ireland.
“I think Sean Corby is a future champion jockey. It’s a big thing to say as he’s only 16. Riding for me this season wouldn’t be the easiest thing, but I couldn’t be more impressed with him.”
Corby is attached to Mick Halford’s stable.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
