Mangan achieves long held Thyestes dream Jimmy Mangan achieved a life-long ambition when Whinstone Boy claimed the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park today. The Mallow handler was emulating his father Paddy, who claimed the prize back in 1981 with June's Friend. Sean Flanagan, completing a quick double, was always handy on the nine-year-old and had a great duel with Siegemaster from before the turn. He got the better of that rival going to the last and it was Hangover who came through to chase him home. The Supreme Leader gelding showed plenty of stamina to keep on well and score by a length-and-three-quarters. The winner was the subject of a good gamble, backed from 14/1 in the morning and eventually returning 5/1. It was the biggest success for Mangan since Monty's Pass claimed the Grand National in 2003. "It's great to win this race as my father won it 29 years ago with June's Friend, which I led up! It's a race I've always wanted to win," said Mangan. "He beat Powerstation at Thurles and he went on to win well at Leopardstown so you had to fancy him on that. Soft ground is the big key to him. "The three lads that own him are from Belfast and were involved with Monty's Pass. "I would have been disappointed if he didn't get in here and I had the Galmoy Hurdle as a saver. "The lads love Liverpool and he'll go for the Topham Chase. He'll get an entry for the Grand National but probably won't get in. "He's had a slight few problems and was a bit weak in his tendons. "I told Sean to make plenty of use with him with the light weight. This is my biggest day since Aintree."
