Vinniespride (inside) jumps the last just ahead of Indian Icon© Photo Healy Racing
Indian Icon beat his elders (youngest horse in the field at four) as he took the Carmel Fay Memorial Handicap Hurdle under Mark Enright for Dessie Hughes.
The entire son of Indian Rocket disappointed on a number of occasions over flights in the past, and only shed his maiden tag at Killarney last month on his seventh attempt.
He was last seen finishing fifth behind Waydownsouth on the level at Tramore, but back over hurdles this evening and making his debut in handicap company he was sent off a 5/1 chance.
Having raced mainly in third he was ridden to challenge before the second last, getting to the front on the run-in before going on to score by a length and three parts. Vinniespride who attempted to make all, finished a gallant second under Phillip Enright for Mark McNiff at 20/1, while Top Spin was a further length and a half back in third under Mark Walsh for Colm Murphy at 9/2. Grand Partner was sent off the 4/1 favourite under Barry Geraghty for Tom Mullins and he finished a further four lengths back in fourth.
Dessie Hughes said afterwards: "It was a lovely race to win. Carmel (see race name) is Frank Berry's sister.
"When Frank didn’t win it it was nice to win as we are very good friends.
"This fellow likes hurdles and he jumps well. I’ll put him in the Galway Hurdle as it is a big prize but I don’t know if he will get into it as he mightn’t go up a lot for winning this."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
