Secret Wizard is ridden out by Gary Carroll to beat Fair Game and Billy Lee© Photo Healy Racing
Secret Wizard recorded his first career success as he took the James P. Cunningham Electrical Handicap under Gary Carroll for Sheila Lavery.
Third over the course and distance last month, the chestnut son of Sakhee's Secret was again third at Dundalk, before disappointing on his most recent effort at Navan.
Making his debut in handicap company this evening, he was sent off an 8/1 chance in the colours of owner John Lavery.
Settled behind the leaders by Carroll, the chestnut gelding hit the front with two furlongs to race, and he kept on well under pressure in the straight, going on to score by a length and three parts. Fair Game who was sent off the 7/2 favourite (from 5/2), looked the mostly likely winner approaching the straight, but he ultimately had to settle for second under Billy Lee for Edward O'Grady. Intense Stylist completed the placings a further length and a half back in third under Kevin Manning for Jim Bolger at 5/1.
Lavery was also responsible for Mr Ormsby (8's to 6's on-course), and he finished a well-beaten fifth under Pat Smullen.
The winning handler said afterwards: "He has been knocking on the door and was due that win. He seemed to be pulling himself up in front and is also better on faster ground.
"He's in the Newmarket Horses In Training Sale and will go there - he's a horse who would be better over a mile and on faster ground."
STEWARDS REPORT
W.M. Lordan, rider of Afzal (FR) trained by T.J. O'Mara, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his saddle slipped during this race.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
