Tithonus (blue and white)© Photo Healy Racing
Denis Hogan paid tribute to his vet after Tithonus claimed a big pot in the Tote Rockingham at the Curragh this afternoon.
The six-year-old had failed to shine in three previous runs this season but there was some money around for him this morning as he shortened from 25/1 into 14/1.
Rory Cleary bounced out to lead on the far side in the five-furlong contest and his mount responded gamely in the closing stages.
Tithonus stuck his head out close home to prevail in a blanket finish to the €100,000 contest, getting home by a neck from Hit The Bid
There was another neck back to Patrick with the same margin back to the fourth Spirit Quartz The biggest margin between horses in the field was a length.
“That's absolutely brilliant and he deserves it,” said Hogan.
“I have to say a big thanks to Donncha Houlihan, my vet in Greenmount Veterinary. He diagnosed this lad with gastric ulcers after his last run. He put him on a course of antibiotics and he has turned him inside out. He's a top class vet and I can't thank him enough.
“I also have to thank the boys, Tony and Mike O'Brien for having the patience earlier in the year. We were thinking big but made a bit of a mess of him and put him in the Lincoln over the wrong trip.
“It was just trial and error but all those things led to us finding out about the ulcer.
“Rory was brilliant on him from start to finish. It's just great. He's versatile as he's won over fix, six and seven.
“The last thing I told Rory going out to just remember that he won over seven furlongs in Galway and to make lots of use of him.
“There is so little between these sprinters and we didn't know for a few minutes whether we'd got up or not. That inch is some difference.
“He's entered in the Scurry in two weeks time and that looks likely. Six furlongs should be perfect, the optimum trip.
“I have to thank a good team of staff at home also. It's exciting times. We got a bunch at the Derby Sales during the week so we have all sorts now, point-to-pointers and sprinters!”
