Evening Verse records 40/1 shock in division two

Evening Verse caused a 40/1 shock when getting the better of hot favourite French Company in division two of the DundalkStadium.com Handicap.

The five-year-old mare had failed to even be placed in 15 previous outings under both codes but came good here reverting back to the Flat.

French Company’s half-a-length win over Hidden Land here a fortnight ago had received a timely boost when the runner-up went one better in division one of this 1m4f event, and Jimmy Coogan’s charge was sent off the 5/4 favourite.

Andrew Slattery elected to challenge up the inner in the straight on the Hillary McLoughlin-trained Evening Verse, while French Company was brought wide under Declan McDonogh.

The pair settled down to battle it out inside the final furlong but the favourite didn’t do himself any favours when wandering away from the whip, and the pair were separated by half-a-length at the line. Profound was a further length-and-three-quarters back in third.

Winning owner owner John O'Connor said, “Andy's father rode a winner for me 34 years ago at Limerick on a filly called Miss Gosling.

“I'd say the cheekpieces helped this filly today but she even idled when she got there. She was very fit from hurdling.

“She only really put in one bad run, at Tipperary, when we ran her on fast and we'll never do that again.

“I bred her myself, I have the dam at home and a half-brother so it's a good day's work.”

(GC & AM)