Ronan Whelan © Photo Healy Racing
Perfect Judgement (7/1, from 11s before the off) proved well named as Ronan Whelan produced him with a well-timed charge to land the Aer Lingus College Football Handicap at Leopardstown.
The Jack Davison-trained gelding, as big as 22/1 in morning wagering, lunged late in the seven-furlong contest to grab Surpass And Shine close home for a half-length victory.
It was a second career success for the Inns Of Court gelding, who had also scored at Dundalk back in January.
Stephen Thorne, representing owners Shamrock Thoroughbreds, said afterwards:- “It was a well-timed challenge and Ronan gave him a great ride.
“He ran well on the Monday night in Galway (finished fifth) and we backed him up against the older horses and just the hustle and bustle didn't really suit him.
“He's a young, improving horse and the handicapper gave him a bit of a chance after the reassessments.
“He acted well on the polytrack earlier in the year when he won a nice winners' race.
“We'll freshen him up now, he might have one more run on the turf if the ground stays right, and then we'll head into the Dundalk winter series with him.
“I think he's a nice horse moving forward and hopefully there is another one in him.”
