The Big Chap (nearest) lays it down to My Mate Mozzie © Photo Healy Racing
Odds-on favourite My Mate Mozzie jumped perfectly well on his first start over fences in the two-mile beginners' chase but, having led before the second-last, was unable to fend off the finishing effort of outsider The Big Chap who scored at 50/1.
The three-time hurdle winner had unseated rider early on at Sligo on his chase debut but jumped well for amateur Simon Cavanagh and wore down the 8/15 favourite, whose response off the bridle was disappointing, after the last to score by two lengths.
Paul Flynn trains the winner for the Glenmore Goes Racing Syndicate.
Cavanagh said:- “He was brilliant and he jumped from fence to fence for me.
“Paul told me to give him a bit of light and hold on to him for as long as I could.
“I thought going to the third last I was probably getting a little bit tired but when I gave him a squeeze turning in he came alive underneath me. He got his head down and battled hard in fairness to him.
“Paul said he can be a little bit awkward but there was no awkwardness today anyway.
“I thought when he put his head down about 100 yards from the line I was going to nab him. I thought My Mate Mozzie was going to out-battle me but yer man was tough and fought well.
“Paul said to tip around and if it happens, it happens. It's great, I didn't think he would beat the likes of My Mate Mozzie but he was tough and it looks like he has got a new lease of life over fences.
“I have my own place at home and I'm doing a few stores and foals for the sales. Paul is only 20 minutes down the road and he's been helping me out a bit.
“He gave me a lend of his fences and he comes over to school at my place. He said to me if I would like to ride him and after schooling him last week I said most definitely.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
