Masen and Colin Keane hold San Andreas © Photo Healy Racing
Ger Lyons completed a remarkable 16,301/1 four-timer as Masen (11/2) landed the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 'Sovereign Path' Handicap under Colin Keane.
The gelded son of Kingman, wearing a first-time hood, was smartly away from a wide draw and the champion jockey was able to secure a handy early position tracking the leaders.
The 3-year-old made headway to lead two furlongs out and was soon ridden clear. San Andreas gave chase inside the final furlong, and 7/2 favourite Bopedro came with a strong late effort having been held up out the back, but Masen kept on well to hold the former by half a length, with Bopedro a further neck away in third.
It was just a fifth outing for the winner, who had been runner-up in Listed company on his seasonal reappearance at Killarney last month.
Winning trainer Ger Lyons reflected on a great afternoon for the stable.
“It's what dreams are made of,” he said.
“The team as a whole deserve huge credit, they knew this is what I was targeting all year.
“I said all year that Champions Weekend was where we were going and whatever we have is going to be aimed at it. It's one thing saying that but another delivering it, everything has to fall right for you and it has.
“It's better to be born lucky than rich. We have a huge and we're all playing our part.
“I'm lucky to have the best jockey in the business and lucky to have Gary Carroll on the team, and lucky to have a great string of owners.
“That horse I thought the world of, he's had his issues but he ran a blinder in Killarney coming back off a long lay-off.
“He did too much the, did it all wrong. He's a work in progress, he's not doing things right yet and when he does he'll be a nice horse.
“The improvement is in the mental side of things, he's going to have to enjoy his work on the track. He's not like that at home, butter wouldn't melt with him at home.
“He's a bit like I was when I started training, he gets a bit frustrated! He needs to just relax and let it happen.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
