Jody Ted and Mark McDonagh finish best© Photo Healy Racing
Jody Ted provided trainer Eoin Griffin and rider Mark McDonagh with a welcome success when coming from an unlikely position early in the straight to land the Eoin O’Gorman Solicitors Maiden Hurdle at Wexford. Calthor looked set to justify 6/4 favouritism when reeling in the tired front-runner Howdyalikemenow at the penultimate flight.
However, the Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding stopped quickly himself after a bad mistake at the last and Jody Ted, who was a remote fifth approaching the straight, swept through on the run-in to record an 18/1 surprise.
Howdyalikemenow, who looked a spent force on the testing ground when headed two out, rallied to claim the runner-up spot with Calthor (who traded on the exchanges at the minimum odds) virtually walking over the line in third.
Griffin said, "He ran well the first day and then we went back for a bumper and it just didn't work out. The last day was a little bit of a disaster up in Leopardstown. Anyway, he made up for it today.
"It was a funny type of race. I thought he had plenty to do but this course rides testing since they switched the other way. When he was making up the ground, I could see the horses in front tying up and I thought at least he'll get to them.
"It's Mark's first win for his father in those colours, so it's an important win for him. I'm sure there is great excitement in the McDonagh household.
"We'll see how he comes out of this. He probably had a tough race today. We will probably look at some of those rated novice races. We'll see what kind of mark the handicapper gives him first."
(DM & AM)
