Freddie baffles Deegan & saves the bookies A big plunge on Tannery (8/1 this morning into 2/1) was foiled by 50/1 chance Mayhem Freddie (in first time blinkers) in the Ross Nugent Foundation Handicap at Leopardstown. Everything seemed to be going to plan for the Billy Lee partnered Tannery, the top-weight in this ten furlong race, as she moved into contention travelling well in the straight. However Mayhem Freddie, from 6Ibs out of the handicap, with Samantha Bell up (got a 1 day ban for not giving her mount time to respond to the whip & must attend RACE for tuition), proved to be a determined opponent and eventually scored by three parts of a length. Apparently Mayhem Freddie was matched on Betfair at 1,000/1 for €140 in-running. Paul Deegan trains the three times previously raced Mayhem Freddie for Peter Shubotham and he said: "That's the biggest shock of my training career – quite extraordinary. "He went well in blinkers the other day but I had no idea he'd do that. The kid was brilliant on him – she gave him a cracking ride. I'm baffled though. "Anyway I'm delighted for the owners though we had their colours on the wrong one (Crouching Harry, finished last). "On the basis of that he'd win again and he'll get further. "We'll either go jumping (by Haafhd – the sire of Carlito Brigante, Countrywide Flame etc.) or sell him to go jumping. "I think the other fella (Crouching Harry) should have his day as well." (GC & EM)
