Macnicholson is driven out by Fran Berry© Photo Healy Racing
Macnicholson recorded his first win under flat rules as he took the McEnery Cup Handicap under Fran Berry for Jessica Harrington.
Having finished a good seventh in the Galway Hurdle on his last start (would have been closer only for being hampered at the last) the son of Definite Article was sent off a 7/1 chance in the colours of Joe O'Flaherty.
Slowly into stride he was pushed along in the early stages before settling in mid-division.
He made rapid headway in the back straight on the inner as the field raced wide off the rail.
He was a close second from five furlongs out and was ridden to lead entering the straight.
The six-year-old victor then went a few lengths clear with under two furlongs to race and he kept on well under pressure to score by a length and three parts. Breenainthemycra ran a fine race to finish second at 7/1 under Danny Grant for Eoin Doyle while He's Our Man (9/1) was a further length and three parts back in third under Colm O'Donoghue for George Kingston. Askmour was sent off the 11/2 favourite and she could only manage a disappointing seventh under Emmet McNamara for Frank Dunne.
Fran Berry said afterwards: "He was a bit unlucky in the Galway Hurdle where he was nearly brought down but it was a good run as it was.
"The blinkers on today helped a lot. Jessica said to make plenty of use of him as a mile and a half is his minimum trip."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
