Mick Charlie and connections© Photo Healy Racing
There was in-running carnage on the betting markets as Mick Charlie came from an unpromising poition to win going away in the Grange Novice Handicap Chase at Clonmel.
He was a good 10 lengths adrift of the tussling Mount Frisco and Itwasfate after two out and was still a fairly distant fourth on the approach to the last.
At this stage, Dundaniel was making ground hand over fist in third on the leaders, however, a shuddering mistake at the last brought him to a virtual standstill on the run-in. He did get going again for fifth place.
The two leaders were out on their feet as Mick Charlie stayed on in the closing stages for Kevin Sexton and raced right by to win by a widening two and a-quarter lengths at 10/1. Dutch Schultz (8/1) and Junot (4/1) came through for second and third respectively in a race of markedly changing fortunes at the business end.
Declan Queally jnr said: "I said to Kevin beforehand that the other horses were likely to go mad (fast) on the ground. I hadn't him as ready as I had him going to Tramore and I said to Kevin to ride him to run well and he is a genius at doing that.Â
"He tipped around, never panicked, came home well and you could see that the leaders were starting to walk coming to the last.
"I thought the two miles would be too sharp for him, but he is a great horse who has now won five races and retains his enthusiasm as a 12 year old.Â
"Kevin has come back from injuries and is a great rider who deserves his chance."
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
