Indian Tomahawk, right, gets up to land the spoils © Photo Healy Racing
Indian Tomahawk at 7/2 came out on top in a driving finish to the mile median auction race in Dundalk.
Pat Smullen looked to have repelled all comers as his willing partner Tomorrow Morning kept her head in front. However, the complexion of the race totally changed with 150 yards to go.
Shane Foley and Maira came thundering down Tomorrow Morning's outer as Indian Tomahawk and Shane Kelly rattled home down the inner.
It was the latter who swamped them all to prevail by a neck from 3/1 favourite Maira. Tomorrow Morning (9/1) had to settle for third, another head away.
Kelly got a great tune from Indian Tomahawk in the final furlong as the pair swooped from mid-division.
Handler Michael O'Callaghan said: "I'm delighted. We thought a lot of him last year and he figured it all out when he won the last day.
"He made all that day and made decent fractions over seven furlongs and galloped on strongly to beat Charlie Bear.
"People were saying Charlie Bear didn't face the lights that night and maybe it was a bit of a fluke, but he's after winning a conditions race now and did it well.
"Pat (Smullen) steadied it up in front and left a nice gap up the rail. In fairness to Shane he gave him a great ride.
"He should improve as I was doubting myself if he had enough done and he was carrying a lot of condition.
"We'll see what the handicapper does now and I've no real plan. I had him in the Madrid Handicap, but thought this was a better option.
"He's after winning two now and is improving. He could have been sold after he won last time that, but with one thing and another he wasn't.
"I'd say he'll be a good ground horse the way he handles that. We always thought he worked better on grass at home."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
