First reserve Bigger And Better finally rewarded his owners' patience at Gowran today as the Tony Martin trained gelding caused a 25/1 upset to win the Tickets On GowranPark.ie Apprentice Handicap (div 2) under jockey Oisin Orr.

Bought by the Lyreen Syndicate for GBP40,000 in 2016, the six year old failed to win in nine subsequent starts but today bolted up under jockey Orr, with an eased-down four and a quarter lengths win.

Part-owner Danny Houlihan later quipped “he is a bit of a miracle horse — I only have him three years!

“He was a nice horse for Richard Hannon in England in the past and he had niggly problems for Tony but had him right on the day.

“I had great luck with horses like Lyreen Wonder and Lyreen Legend in the past.”

Winning trainer Tony Martin added “it was the last throw of the dice today but he's a horse that always showed plenty. He was placed first time for us and it took us a long time to get him right.

“I always thought there was a day like today but it's taken a long time and the man that owns him has been very patient and I'm delighted for him. There was always potential there and at least we got it right today.

“He had a lot of issues but he was fair good today and he probably needed all the time he got.”

Quotes from Gary Carson