Dawn Rising beats American Mike © Photo Healy Racing
Just four lined up for the John Lynch Carpets & Flooring Monksfield Novice Hurdle and there was a surprise outcome as 10/1 chance Dawn Rising ridden by Mark Walsh, turned over 2/7 hotpot American Mike
The short-priced favourite and pace-setting Affordale Fury got racing plenty early and the eventual winner was unable to keep tabs on them from the end of the back straight but moved a closer third three out. The two in front began to labour between the final two flights and Affordale Fury, narrowly in front at the time, came down at the last. That left American Mike in front but he had little left in the tank for the final climb as Dawn Rising came past him to score by eight lengths.
The Listowel maiden winner was completing a double for trainer Joseph O'Brien and owner JP McManus after Comfort Zone in the opener. The Galileo gelding was a winner and Group-3 placed on the level for Aidan O'Brien.
The winning owner's racing manager Frank Berry remarked: “I didn’t think three from home that we would be winning but he was gradually closing them down.
“It looked like they went quick up front and just paid the penalty for it. I’d say he would have won anyway (if the leader hadn’t fallen at the last) as they got very tired up in front.
“He just kept galloping away and doesn’t mind the ground. It’s nice to win anyway.
“We’ll see where we go from here and maybe find something around Christmas.”
Paddy Power introduced the winner at 16/1 for the Albert Bartlett and 12/1 for the Ballymore.
Of American Mike, jockey Jack Kennedy later remarked: "Very disappointing but I'll be very surprised if something didn't show up in a scope or something. From the third-last I wasn't happy and he didn't finish out his race."
Quotes from Alan Magee
