Wave wins as big gamble fails

A big gamble on Veneer Of Charm (7/4 favourite from around 10/1 earlier) came unstuck in the Leopardstown Club Members Nursery Handicap as Catch A Wave took the honours under Gary Halpin for Kevin Prendergast.

Soon to the fore, Catch A Wave led after a couple of furlongs and he was ridden to put a seal on things into the straight.

Catch A Wave didn't go un-backed himself, from 16/1 into 11/1, and he ended up comfortably beating Perfect Storm by a length and three parts.

The aforementioned Veneer Of Charm meanwhile, never got involved though he was doing his best work at the finish to come home in seventh place. He was pushed along towards the rear early having not been the smartest out of the stalls.

"That was a pleasant surprise. He's going to the Doncaster sales next week and that might help his sale," said Prendergast.

"He's a genuine little horse. He ran well in Naas and we came here on account of him being on his way. We decided to ride him back the way he won.

"Kevin Ross bought him as a yearling and syndicated him. The idea was to win a couple of races, put him on the market and invest again."

(GC & EM)