See Double You, far side, leads over the final flight© Photo Healy Racing
Gallant 16-year-old See Double You battled home in the Leo Dolan Memorial Handicap under Darragh O'Keefe to add his name to the Irish racing history books.
Ronan McNally's charge showed a great attitude to fend off Pump Road by a length at 8/1 in this extended three mile one furlong contest.
The runner-up had to give best at 14/1 with 2/1 favourite Humps And Bumps in third.
“It's unbelievable and I'm almost speechless,” said Ronan McNally.
“I really wanted to win in Ireland at 16. He did it at 15 and it's hard to believe that he can do it at 16.
“He's been a very very special horse for us. There probably hasn't been a 16-year-old won in Ireland. I know there has in England. I really wanted to do it in Ireland and get him down in the history books.
“I bought this horse the day after my dad was buried so he means a lot to me and he always has.
“He's as fresh and he's looked after like a baby. The whole family loves and adores him.
“I thought he had hit the front maybe a bit soon and they were all coming to challenge him and would probably come for him but he really knuckled down and jumped the last three.
“He didn't let us down and he was awesome.
“For seven months I endured absolute torture. It was like last, last, last, pulled up.
“Finally at Downpatrick I had a fourth and a third. He was third but I wasn't really happy with him to be honest.
“We took him to the vet and he had a wee problem with his stifle after that. He jumped very poor which isn't like him so we worked on his stifle.
“I told Darragh (O'Keefe) he would have a different horse today and we were right.
“That would probably be a good note to finish him on but I'm going to ride him over in England once and probably finish him at that.
“I have won on him seven times. And for myself and him that's how we will finish. He's a legend!”
This was See Double You's 11th career victory (three point-to-points, five hurdles and three chases).
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
