Cuban Grey and Joey Sheridan.© Photo Healy Racing
Despite not being able to take up his customary prominent position, the Patrick McKenna trained Cuban Grey battled on bravely from over a furlong out to get up late to win the concluding Racing Again Tomorrow Handicap at Tipperary.
In a race where the pace was frantic from the outset, Make Clear was quickly into stride on the far side, while Coco Hill and Shoebox King were towards the fore on the stands side.
As all three did battle for the lead over a furlong out, both Improving far side) and Cuban Grey delivered their challenges. The former edged ahead on the far rail deep inside the final furlong but Cuban Grey found untapped reserves of stamina to lead in the dying strides.
Patrick McKenna said: "He is coming to himself and we knew it was in him, as Joey (Sheridan) assured me. As the song goes, it's a long way to Tipperary, especially from our house, but it was worth the three and a half hours trip.
"Joey didn't want to push him early on and I thought he was in trouble but he said he picked up going to the line and that's what you want.
"He is a lovely horse and we just buy low grade horses and try to improve them a bit. He has come to himself and hopefully can win another one. He wants those fast tracks as he has a bit of speed."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
