The Big Doyen © Photo Healy Racing
Peter Fahey sent out his second winner of the Galway festival when The Big Doyen landed the Guinness Novice Hurdle under Kevin Sexton.
The 11/2 chance led early before tracking the leaders from the third flight of hurdles. In front again travelling well before two out, he landed flat-footed at the last but kept on well to hold What Path by a length.
The winning Money For Jam Syndicate, which includes members from Cork, Offaly and Athy, were exultant in their celebrations in the parade ring.
The six-year-old did drift out from the rail under a right-handed drive in the final furlong and impeded the runner-up but, as expected, there was no change to the placings following a stewards' enquiry.
Fahey, on the scoresheet yesterday with A Law Of Her Own, said: "Fair play to the lads as they had to make the call not to sell him after he won two bumpers.
"He enjoys being left alone to bowl along in front and in fairness to Kevin he always said to step him up in distance but I couldn't see it myself because he was so keen over two-miles.
"Last winter he didn't go on the heavy ground and it wasn't working out for us. He went up in trip and letting him bowl along in races has suited and he wants nice ground.
"I think he will be a cracking horse over fences but we'll see where things go over hurdles first. He is electric to jump and I think will be the same over fences. He is a nice horse going forward."
He added "this is great for the lads, they're having great craic from it and hopefully they get plenty luck with him.
"We've had a great week, some of my horses ran moderately but had genuine excuses and we'll definitely enjoy tonight!"
Sexton told RTE: "The plan was to bounce out. Rachael (on The Short Go came by me and I was happy enough to take a lead, we were going hard enough, although he was tanking.
"He switched off going down to the dip and lobbed away from there. His jumping was exceptional and I was able to fill him up everywhere. He done it well in the end and was probably idling when he was in front.
"His jumping is his biggest asset, the only one he missed was the last. He was a bit long and, when he was in front, I didn't want to give him a kick in case he wasn't fully concentrating and I let him figure it out. In fairness it never took a stride out of him. He finished well and probably finished with a little bit in hand, he was just idling away."
Quotes from Tom Weekes
