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Castlebrook rewards Mangan's patience

Castlebrook and Phillip Enright teamed up for victoryCastlebrook and Phillip Enright teamed up for victory
© Photo Healy Racing

Castlebrook and Phillip Enright enjoyed themselves out in front in the beginners' chase at Wexford.

The six-year-old gelding jumped notably well and moved clear at the third last. Stones And Roses cut into the lead rounding the home turn in conjunction with Cherokee Bill

Castlebrook still had plenty in the tank, however, as he opened up after jumping two out. Once he popped the last, Enright could afford a peek over his shoulder and the pair came in by a comfortable five lengths at 9/2 having drifted out from 7/4 in the morning.

Stones And Roses could make no impression in second at 8/1, however, he was four and a quarter lengths ahead of Batcio at 20/1.

Trainer Jimmy Mangan said: “He's very unfit yet but the race suited him, so we said we'd have a go.

“Christmas will be his big target, in Limerick.

“Everybody was waiting for him because he's a chaser and nothing else. He was unlucky not to win a bumper, and a hurdle race, but that's all history now and it's onwards and upwards hopefully.

“I'd be hoping he'll go for the big novice chase at Limerick but he may run before that as he'd need practice. I'd be hoping he'd be up to that kind of race.

“I said he's about 90 per cent fit but Phillip said he's only 75 (per cent). He said he had a big blow.”

Castlebrook was last seen finishing fourth in a maiden hurdle at Cork in early January.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.