The Long Mile and Luke Dempsey © Photo Healy Racing
The father and son combination of Philip and Luke Dempsey successfully teamed up with The Long Mile to take the featured Holden Plant Rentals Shamrock Handicap Chase at Gowran Park.
The JP McManus-owned gelding has proved a great money-spinner since sent over fences this season and this €50,000 event was a third win within the space of three months.
The six-year-old gelding, who was sent off an uneasy 5/2 favourite, challenged Diamond Turf at the final fence and got on top in the closing stages to beat that rival by a length and three quarters.
Debuchet finished a further five lengths back in third.
Philip Dempsey said, “That was great, I'm delighted. He just does enough and that was a step up today. He's a way better chaser than a hurdler anyway.
“He'll have no bother going up in trip and should get distance anyway. We'll see what Frank (Berry) says now and look for something similar to that. Hopefully he keeps progressing.
“I'd say he's a winter horse. He's a very laid back horse, he just goes around and does enough.
“When Luke got after him he pulled out a little bit more but still my heart was in my mouth a bit at the last when he met it wrong.”
(GC & AM)
