Mountain Port © Photo Healy Racing
Having got in as first reserve, Mountain Port was a shock 150/1 winner of the Michael Griffin Auctioneers Maiden Hurdle in the hands of amateur Paddy Cody.
The Portage gelding had failed to complete in four point-to-point outings for his owner John Lonergan before being well beaten in a Punchestown bumper on Rules debut but it was a different story here as he made all the running.
Cody's mount looked vulnerable going to the second-last as a couple of rivals closed on him but found more to readily beat market leader Mount Anglesby by six-and-a-half lengths.
Trainer Kieran Purcell: "I thought he'd run well, he was never really fit . The ground and the distance suited him today. He was running over three miles on soft ground and couldn't really handle it. The cheekpieces helped him concentrate today.
"It was the plan to go out in front and we knew he'd fly around here on the good ground. We've been waiting all year for the good ground.
"Paddy comes in a day a week to school and he is Pat's son. Pat rides out everyday for me and they are a great family."
Cody added: "I'm 18 and from Dunnamaggin, Co Kilkenny. Ray Cody is my uncle and that's my first winner over hurdles. I won a bumper two years ago and I've also won two point-to-points."
Quotes from Donal Murphy
