Mountain Fox records 25/1 surprise for veteran Oakes Gigginstown appeared to hold all the aces with a couple of strong contenders in the Holycross Maiden Hurdle at THurles but were upset by 25/1 shot Mountain Fox. The Fast Company gelding, owned and trained by 77-year-old Frank Oakes who still regularly rides out, was a 15 race maiden on the Flat but made a successful transition here to jumping. The five-year-old made smooth headway from off the pace but still had plenty to do as 5/4 favourite Generalisation appeared to hold a decisive lead between the final two flights. However he soon started to tread water in front and was headed after a mistake at the last. Mountain Fox, as big as 66/1 earlier in the day, finished strongly on the run-in under Ricky Doyle to beat Extrapolate by three and a quarter lengths. Generalisation could find no extra another two and a half lengths away in third. Oakes said, "He ran a fortnight ago at Dundalk and I thought he'd come home alone but he ran stinking! The run mesmerised me but I had another horse at home who wasn't well and I presumed he wasn't just right so I schooled him and Ricky said he was a natural hurdler. "I picked out this race and said you'll be fourth or fifth with a bit of luck. "I ride him out all the time at home and he is a villain to ride. I'm 77 and ride two every day and he's not an easy ride at all." (TW & AM)
