Pencilhimin (right) beats Gallant Oscar© Photo Healy Racing
War Of Attrition's brother Pencilhimin caused a 20/1 upset when winning the Grade C Proudstown Handicap Hurdle at Navan today, adding to a recent Limerick win for trainer Norman Cassidy and jockey Danny Benson.
Heavily backed 11/8 favourite Gallant Oscar arrived with his challenge at the second last and was giving chase to the winner until making a mistake at the final flight. From there Gallant Oscar was closing all the way to the line but Pencilhimin showed great battling qualities for a half length win.
Following the win Cassidy stated “he was 18lb better off, including the claim, with the second horse (Gallant Oscar) compared to a run earlier this year and I was confident of beating him.
“I was going to go chasing after his last run in Limerick, and he'll probably go chasing over Christmas but first there's also a valuable handicap hurdle back here next month."
The winner is the only horse Cassidy has in training at present and is owned by his niece Juliana Cassidy.
By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee
