From left, Mark McDonagh, Denis Hogan, Tommy Brett, Lorraine and Mark McDonagh celebrate success© Photo Healy Racing
Gary Noonan performed heroics to maintain the partnership on Caoimhes Pet in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, but the pair were run down by 3/1 favourite Little Mixup at the business end.
Caoimhes Pet made steady headway to tack on to the leaders before three out and she led narrowly at the next, but blundered and nearly shot Noonan out of the saddle. He clung on around her neck and remarkably the pair were swiftly back into stride on an even keel.
The pair asserted into the straight but Little Mixup wasn't cooked and progressed into second. Exertions may have told on Caoimhes Pet (5/1) as she wandered into the last and was collared there by Little Mixup who strode away on the run-in to prevail by two and three quarter lengths. Thefaithfulindian (10/1) and Hide Out (33/1) completed the placings in third and fourth respectively.
Little Mixup supplemented a victory in Limerick four days ago and carried 12st 6lb to victory as she ran under the 7lb penalty.
Denis Hogan said: “He missed a year with an injury and it took a while for him to get into gear.
“I’m delighted for Mark and Lorraine (McDonagh). To be fair, after the injury Mark offered me the horse to keep. I put him away for a year and when I got him back I told him he was ready to go again if he wanted him back. It’s great that he’s stuck with him and hopefully he’ll win again.
“It was a great performance under the weight. He’s only 15.1 and the jockey couldn’t claim in the race.
“He’ll have to go up a grade now and he might be better in a better race with a lighter weight. He jumped super and Tommy gave him a lovely ride.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
