Channon strikes in Curragh with Mobsta

On FA Cup final day it was somehow appropriate that former England international Mick Channon trained the winner of the Group Two Greenlands Stakes with Mobsta

Channon won the FA Cup 40 years ago when Southampton shocked Manchester United 1-0 with Bobby Stokes scoring a late winner.

He sent Mobsta over from England for this 120,000 euro race and the 14/1 shot raced close to the pace for Pat Smullen on the inner.

The pair got on terms with Flight Risk with less than a quarter of a mile to go and the two horses were locked together approaching the final furlong.

It was inside the last 100 yards that Mobsta edged slightly in front and he maintained the lead to hit the line a head to the good over Flight Risk (16/1).

The first five home finished in a bunch with the well-backed-favourite Don't Touch (1/1) in fifth.

Pat Smullen said: "I knew I hit the line well. Myself and Kevin (Manning) went at it there from a furlong and a half down and it was nip and tuck the whole way but to be fair to my horse he was very courageous and he stuck his head out well when I needed him. He hit the line good and I was pretty confident I got there.

"The boss Mick (Channon) rang me this morning to see how much rain we had and said that every drop that fell would help. I'm glad we got those heavy showers because he's a heavy-shouldered horse and he got through the ground very well.

"They were quietly confident of a big run from him. I couldn't believe he was the price he was. You had to forgive him Newmarket and you could see why he didn't run well in Newmarket, running downhill on fast ground wouldn't be for him but his previous run at Doncaster left him with a big chance. Thankfully we came out the right side in the finish."

The trainer's son, Jack Channon, said: "We thought a lot of this horse coming into this year. He probably ran back a bit quick the last day, so we freshened him up and the heavens opened which suited him. It's worked out perfect.

"He'll not run on anything faster than good but he'll be entered in all the good six furlong races. He's earned the right to go for them now and if it comes up soft he'll take his chance.

"As dad always reminds us he won the FA Cup with Southampton. It's 40 years ago today so it seems to have brought us a bit of luck."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee