Dr Mikey forges on for Donie McInerney© Photo Healy Racing
Dr Mikey served up a 20/1 shock in the Pavilion Restaurant Hurdle over two miles in Cork.
His success gave jockey Donie McInerney a 440/1 double on the card as he also took the preceding race on fellow 20/1 shot Ministerforsport
Dr Mikey was full of running as he led from Brelade (4/1). He had too much in the tank for that opponent as he cleared the last and kept up the gallop to win by four and a quarter lengths. Bleu Et Rouge the 4/11 favourite, couldn't go with the two main protagonists after the third last and weakened.
He lost third on the run-in as Flaxen Flare got up by half a length over him. This was played out 53 lengths behind the runner-up, though.
Trainer Mags Flynn said: "He had a very bad injury 14 months ago when he ruptured his tendon on the off fore in a novice hurdle in January 2017. We had him cantering after five months but only because of the sea (being nearby) and that's the first time he galloped on the level and we do controlled exercise with him going uphill instead.
"He is very free going and can be bold and is highly strung but suits a small yard. He walks around the yard all day long but we don't let him out on the field because we're afraid he'd gallop.
"He'd a lot of work done coming here but he'd prefer better ground."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
