Ewing times it well on Ambitious Fellow

Peter Fahey won the Connolly's RED MILLS EBF Auction Hurdle Final for the second year in a row as Ambitious Fellow served up a 40/1 surprise.

Fahey also saddled the 7/4 favourite Freedom To Dream but this one finished fourth.

It was Rebel Ivy the sole mare in the field, swept through to lead approaching the home bend and was soon ridden to go for home.

She was clear straightening up but Ambitious Fellow cut into her lead tackling the final flight. Rebel Ivy needed the line in the closing stages and Ambitious Fellow collared her in the final stride. He beat the 14/1 shot by a head. The Road To Fame was nine lengths behind in third at 33/1.

Fahey said: “He was bought to be sold but we brought him across to Doncaster and couldn’t get anyone to buy him. Oran Crean, Gerry O’Neill and my wife Ber own him.

“He goes on nicer ground and we’ll tip away over the summer.

“I’ve been very lucky in this series. Fair play to Red Mills it’s great sponsorship and puts horses that don’t cost too much in their own bracket and gives them a good final at the end of it.”

Sam Ewing added: "Absolutely delighted! Thanks to Peter (Fahey) for putting me up. They have been very good to me since I started race riding.

"He's had one run over hurdles and he was a little bit untidy even in the way around today. We thought we would take our chance and get him into a bit of a rhythm, and he has come home very well.

"I I always felt I had plenty left, I was confident jumping the last I was going to get to him (Shane O'Callaghan on Rebel Ivy).

"The run-in is a bit deceiving, it is longer maybe than you think."

Fahey won this race last year with Surprise Package.

The Stewards interviewed S. O'Callaghan, rider of runner-up Rebel Ivy, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted that he was in breach of the regulation and apologised. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were satisfied that S. O'Callaghan was in breach of Regulation 10.3.g, excessive frequency and having considered his record in this regard the Stewards suspended S. O'Callaghan for six racedays.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee