Winning connections in happy mood after the bumper© Photo Healy Racing
Pass Hymn sent bookmakers home happy when causing a 16/1 surprise on debut by making all under Declan Queally in the concluding Loch Garman Flat Race at Wexford. Allardyce was all the rage with quotes of 6/1 earlier in the day further trimmed on track from 4/1 into 2/1 favourite.
The Edward O’Grady-trained favourite threw down a challenge in the straight, and was given a glimmer of light as the leader wandered under pressure and drifted right across the track inside the final furlong.
However the stands’ side rail helped to straighten him up, and the Garrett Power-trained gelding kept on well to well to score by two and three quarter lengths. Chateauneuf Du Pap was another nine lengths behind in third.
Power said, "This lad works like a good horse at home. Mr Antolini has been working with him, and I was wondering was Mr Antolini off form coming here. He ran a good race (fourth to Camlann but they just got away from him a bit.
"This is a nice horse, he is proper horse and has never disappointed us at home. He was as green as grass there, but he is like that. He's babyish and will improve an awful lot from it.
"I'm delighted for his owner Jack Jiggens who has been with me since I took out a licence. He might go for a winners bumper now. I always thought he was good enough to win a bumper. We said we'd see how it goes and take it from there then.
"Jack is from the UK and his wife has Winning Colours Limited. They do different things in your colours, like boxer shorts, ties, cushions etc. Jack had horses with Joe Crowley and I rode a winner for him a long time ago. He is a loyal man and you need people like him."
(DM & AM)
