Pepperoni Pete and Scott McCullagh© Photo Healy Racing
Pepperoni Pete made it a 376/1 double on the day for local trainer Jessica Harrington when taking the Royal Ascot Trials At Naas Handicap.
The Zoffany gelding broke two vertebrae in his neck following a fall in a maiden hurdle at Gowran Park last summer but has really bounced back to form this year on the Flat and won by all of 11 lengths at Navan in March.
He also went close at Limerick last time and, back on his favoured soft ground, led inside the final furlong to beat Starting Monday by a length and three quarters.
Winning rider Scott McCullagh said of the 12/1 chance, “I’m delighted to ride a winner for Jessie. I’ve been with her the last year and a half and it’s taken me long enough to ride her one.
“He’s an improving type and has turned a corner this season. He won very well in Navan and ran a good race in defeat in Limerick. He relishes the soft ground.”
The Tom Madden-ridden Espouse initiated the Harrington double when scoring at odds of 28/1 in the opening fillies maiden.
