Sean Flanagan rider of Formal Order© Photo Healy Racing
Formal Order made it two from two over flights as he stayed on best to claim the opener at Limerick this afternoon, the Listed Bluegrass Horse Feed Novice Hurdle.
Without success from eleven starts on the level, the son of Iffraaj made a winning debut over flights at Punchestown last month, scoring at the odds of 22/1.
Surprisingly, the Matthew Smith trained gelding was again friendless with punters today and was returned a 40/1 chance in the colours of the M & S Partnership.
Given a patient ride by Sean Flanagan (replacing Keith Donoghue - sore after a fall at Fairyhouse yesterday), the bay victor was pushed along in the fifth as they entered the home straight.
Closer in fourth at the second last, he got a dream run through on the inner from the final flight, getting up in the closing stages to prevail by half a length. Commandingpresence (11/10 fav) led marginally, but was struggling to pull away from his rivals when he crashed out at the last.
The John Ryan pair of Fairyhill Run (16/1) and The Little Yank finished second and third respectively, with two and a quarter lengths separating them at the line.
Smith said afterwards: "I missed what happened at the last and Sean (Flanagan) said Bryan Cooper (on runner-up Fairyhill Run) thought he had Rachael (Blackmore, on leader Commandingpresence) beaten. He (Formal Order) rallied well, stayed well and picked up well.
"I told Sean going out not to worry about his price as I thought he beat two good horses the last day.
"He has had two hurdle runs and two wins so he stepped up today and it is great. I'll take it one race at a time and I've no plan yet.
"I was talking to Keith (Donoghue, intended rider) and he is just sore from a fall yesterday."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
