Daniel Holden (white, blue star, blue cap) in action on Well Tom© Photo Healy Racing
Well Tom delivered for those that supported him from 16/1 into 15/2 for the Ballymore Handicap Chase at Galway.
Daniel Holden rode his second winner on this Aengus King owned and trained handicap debutant.
Holden had a never to be forgotten breakthrough success on St Stephen's Day aboard Ellie Mac for the Niccolai Schuster Horse Racing Club and Henry de Bromhead at Leopardstown.
Here he had a dream spin aboard Well Tom, and perhaps lonely close home, the Well Chosen gelding clung on by half a length from favourite Se Mo Laoch
Well Tom was reportedly much bigger than 16/1 earlier and Newmarket-On-Fergus based King explained: "He had a wind problem and stopped one day in Gowran on very heavy ground but we did the wind and since then he has improved with every run.
"He is staying on now but when he ran in point to points, his wind was getting to him at the end of his races.
"I was expecting a good run but I don't know where the money came for him - I had E50 on him myself and 10/1 was the best I could get!
"He has a rating over hurdles but chasing is his game and he'll stay chasing.
"I pay very little for my horses and this fellow cost E1,200 as a four year old. It was the same with Capture The Drama (winner of a point to point and eight races) who cost E1,800 and Change The Rules (winner of a point to point and three races) E1,200. All three were bought as four year olds - they are there for small money if you can find them."
S.W. Flanagan, rider of Esthers Present trained by S.M O'Donoghue, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made bad mistakes.
The Stewards enquired into the apparent improvement in form of Well Tom, trained by Aengus King, placed first, compared with its recent form.
Evidence was heard from the trainer concerned, who stated that his charge has previously been running against superior opposition and that today was his first run in a handicap chase.
He added that his charge has recently had a wind operation and has run in a tongue tie since.
Mr. King was of the opinion that his charge ran respectably on his last run here, although finishing seventh, and that while he expected his charge to run well today, he was surprised with the win.
Evidence was also heard from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Senior National Hunt Handicapper, Mr. A. Shaw.
Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation offered.
(TW & EM)
