Flamingo overcomes rough passage to score for Casey

The Francis Casey-trained Max Flamingo overcame a rather rough passage to run out a convincing winner of the Fairyhouse Steel Handicap Hurdle this afternoon.

Denis O'Regan 's mount found trouble in running a few times in the two-mile-six but finished off best at the business end.

The 4/1 joint-favourite came to challenge at the second last but was untidy at that flight.

He jumped the last upsides and asserted on the run-in to post a length-and-three-quarters success over Millen To One

“He showed a lot of inexperience there. He has only six runs compared to all the others,” said Casey.

“He was meant to run Saturday and I was delighted he was balloted out. It was the novice final and there were a heap of them in it.

“That was a grand small field there for an inexperienced horse. It worked out right and he loves the better ground.

“That's fantastic but I've no locals to cheer me on, that's the only thing.”

When it was put to him that his father would be looking down on him he added:- “I'm sure he would be effing and blinding. He would probably be giving out about Denis because he had a rough passage.

“He almost fell at the first, he was very lucky, but after that he jumped brilliant.

“I think he's going to be a chaser some day and I'd love to be back here next year for a big one.

“I don't think there is anything in Punchestown for him. I'd like to give him another run and maybe there will be something Killarney.

“I've only three horses, sheep would be my big thing. I'm pulling out lambs, look at the hands on me they are all wore off me! I even had to delay coming here as I had one with three and had to sort that out.”

O'Regan added: "It was very tactical. He didn't have as much experience as some of the rest of them. He was supposed to run in the three mile here the other day and he didn't get in.

"I thought he would be up against it today with some of these horses with their experience. He slotted in there fifth or sixth on the rail and I got a nice toe but they slowed it down and I was in a pocket for a good while but I managed to get out. Clipped heels along the way and it got a bit messy but thankfully he came through for me.

"He absolutely does nothing in front so I had to keep the revs up. I got a very good jump at the last and he's a lovely horse."