Pale Blue Dot leads Cafe Del Mar after the last© Photo Healy Racing
The John O’Callaghan-trained Cafe Del Mar swooped late under Philip Donovan to record a 50/1 shock in the Jimmy Neville Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Thurles. Pale Blue Dot was all the rage for this 2m7f stamina test and, after being supported at all rates from 6/1 down to 13/8 favourite, looked sure to land the gamble when three lengths clear for trainer/rider Denis Hogan early on the run-in.
However, Café Del Mar really finished with a flourish in the final 100 yards getting up to score by half a length. Something Sweet also kept on nicely a further four-and-three-quarter lengths back in third with Sphagnum completing the places in fourth.
Donovan said, "It was her first run in a handicap but I don't know much about the horse and it was my first time riding for John.
"She isn't big but is game and tries hard. She'll love a bit of nice ground for the summer and should be competitive at the summer tracks.
"John told me she'd be in the first six but to be honest, I looked at him a bit funny! I wouldn't question him again if he fancied one and if I had another one for him, I'd definitely be taking it.
"I'm freelance but mainly with John Ryan, Edward O'Grady, James Grace and Dusty Sheehy."
(TW & AM)
