Maguire's Glen (left) beats Andiamo© Photo Healy Racing
Liz Doyle and Mikey Fogarty have enjoyed a real purple patch in recent weeks but the pair teamed up to the delight of the layers as Maguire’s Glen recorded a 20/1 shock in the Beat Dressed Easter Sunday Handicap Hurdle.
The six-year-old gelding was reappearing after a 16-month spell on the sidelines due to leg trouble, and not surprisingly was overlooked by punters in this 21-runner 2m4f handicap.
However the son of Craigsteel stayed on well on the run-in to get the better of Andiamos by half a length. Special Token was a further four and three quarter lengths adrift in third, with Serra Nova completing the placings in fourth.
Ms Doyle said, “I thought he’d have needed the run. He got a touch of a leg and I thought starting him back on heavy that he’d fade in the straight.
“I told Mikey to do his best but try and get him home in one piece and things opened up for him. His owner Edward Horgan, from Macroom, has been involved in horses for over 25 years and this is his first winner.”
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes