Smallcraftwarning and Toni Quail © Photo Healy Racing
Smallcraftwarning sprang a 40/1 surprise under Toni Quail in the ladies' handicap hurdle on Thurles' card.
The seven-year-old gelding made headway after three out and was almost on terms with Likable Chancer at the next.
Smallcraftwarning came home the stronger, though, as he took over halfway between the final two flights. Lake Chad was a late mover into second at the last, but Smallcraftwarning popped it well and began to draw away on the run-in. Toni Quail kept him up to his work to score by two and a-half lengths.
Runner-up Lake Chad was a 7/1 chance and was eight lengths clear of Likable Chancer (8/1).
Trainer Evanna McCutcheon said: "His form went downhill last year, but won a schooling race so I said I'd leave him off and bring him back. His first run back last year was his best run, so I was happy that he would run well fresh today.Â
"He was in a field at Christmas, but is easy to get fit. I said to Toni going out 'what will be will be' and she gave him a brilliant ride. We're in this grade, but is a fun horse for Nick (O'Neill), my father-in-law to be.
"Pre-training and breaking horses is my gig and have one point-to-pointer and himself, but have a few two-year-olds to run as well."
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
