Five Helmets, left, and Tech Talk fight it out over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Five Helmets rallied well to get the better of 100/1 Tech Talk in the second split of the two mile maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse.
The five-year-old Helmet gelding made steady headway after the third last to move into contention on the outer sweeping the home turn.
He travelled well and had a share of the lead two out with a staying-on Tech Talk at the second last but dived at it.
Tech Talk gained a narrow advantage but Five Helmets took over again at the last which he was sticky at.
Tech Talk saw the opportunity for a big upset and was ridden on the run-in by Keith Donoghue to go and win his race.
However, Five Helmets knuckled down on the inside to get his head in front with less than 150 yards to go. He won going away by a length to land a gamble from 8/1 to 4/1 having been 12s this morning.
There was a lot to like about outsider Tech Talk's game effort in second. He was three lengths in front of Sparkling Stars who brought up each-way money for his backers (33/1 - 22/1).
Trainer Gavin Cromwell said: “We’ve done a world of schooling with him but I don’t know if his jumping is ever going to click. We’ve schooled him over fences as well.
“It was a bad race but it’s nice to get his head in front. I’m not sure what we’ll do. I suppose we’ll see what the handicapper does but his jumping will need to improve.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
