In the true spirit of amateur riding, the final contest on a bumper eight race card at Roscommon this evening, went to the Michael Finnegan owned and ridden Carnival Mood for trainer Tony Mullins at a price of 16/1.
The son of Oscar led early, ran wide off the bend past the stands with two circuits to go, and made virtually all after that winning by a length and a quarter from Minellaforvalue in second at 12/1 with Ten More at 5/1 a further three lengths back in third.
Mr Finnegan from Co Waterford, who is in his mid fifties was having just his fourth ride on the racecourse and after witnessing such a ride it would give hope to all aspiring jockeys.
The winner is a half brother to Supreme Developer, who won four, including the Grade 1 Champion Bumper at the Punchestown Festival in 2002, Dante Hall, who won four, and The Royal Dub who also won four.
Winning trainer Tony Mullins said afterwards: "That was great. Michael has been riding out for us for a long time, everyday. He is 54 or 55. He had a ride in the Charity race at Punchestown last year, but it was not so nice for him!
"I kept making him believe he could do it and he did and it's a great feat!
"He only bought the horse during the week and its only his fourth ever ride including the Charity race last year.
"He will probably go to Galway now for the winners bumper on the last day of the Festival."
