Drop The Anchor rolls back the years to beat Money Heist The Pat Fahy trained Drop The Anchor showed that he still had plenty life left in him despite his advancing years when staying on late to win the Paddy Kehoe Suspended Ceilings Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse. A three-time winner over hurdles, the 11-year-old also landed his bumper and perhaps most significantly, the Naas November Handicap on the Flat. Without a win since that latter race in 2022, the J.P. McManus owned gelding returned to the number one spot under an accomplished ride from Harry Sexton. The well supported Money Heist looked all over a winner early in the straight, hard on the bridle as those around him were being pushed along. However, Gavin Cromwell's market leader found less than expected when asked to go win his race. Sexton went in pursuit on the Fahy trained veteran on the run to the final flight, drawing alongside early on the run-in before leading 100 yards from home. At the finish, he had one-and-three-quarter lengths in hand. Pat Fahy said: “The rain came and everything fell for him. He’d lost his way a bit so we put Harry up on him and a young lad can sweeten up a horse. “You could see about a mile out that things might happen and he didn’t panic. “It’s nice to get a winner here. “He’s 11 but there could still be a Flat race in him if he gets heavy ground.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
