Backers celebrating as Cheers lands gamble

The Paul Flynn-trained Cheers Again landed a nice gamble when running out a cosy winner of the second division of the mile handicap at Dundalk.

Having traded as big as 25/1 last night the Mukhadram gelding went to post 7/2 favourite on his second handicap outing, and his first run since July.

Rory Cleary produced his mount to lead to lead over a furlong from home and he was soon in control, posting a two-and-three-quarter length win over Darkdeserthighway

The winner was dropping back to a mile today having been fourth over ten furlongs at Cork on his last run.

Flynn said: "He came back (after Cork) and he was all wrong and I gave him a break. I honestly thought he wanted further because he was maybe a bit weak.

"When we brought him back, the more we did with him, the quicker he was getting. His pedigree suggested this trip.

"In fairness, John (Eastwood, owner) lost plenty of money on him in Cork so it was great to get a bit back today.

"Rory has ridden horses for me for ages and I gave him nothing but rubbish, so it is nice to give him a winner!

"He'll run once more but he's a big baby and I don't want to kill him. I won't rush him back, maybe the middle of January."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)