Charlie Stout just leads Darver Star (far side) and Big Debates (inside) over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Charlie Stout recorded his first win in over three years, as he landed the feature at Wexford, the Arctic Tack Stud Veterans Handicap Chase.
A solid fourth on his most recent start at Navan, the twelve-year-old was sent off a well-backed 9/2 chance this evening, from early shows of 10/1.
Always toward the head of affairs under Kieran Callaghan, he found plenty for pressure on the run-in to see off the effort of 10-time winner Darver Star (11/4 favourite from 9/4) and Keith Donoghue by a length-and-a-quarter.
There was just a neck back to Big Debates (7/1), who finished well to take third.
Owned by Barry Potts, Patrick Walsh and Michael Mulligan, the winning son of Spadoun was recording his sixth career success and was the oldest horse in this race confined to horses aged 10 and up.
"I jumped out there to be good and forward to use his light weight, he only had nine stone seven on his back so I was adamant to make the most of that," Callaghan said.
"His jumping was very, very good everywhere. He jumped and travelled exceptionally well. I was slightly worried about the ground coming here today but it’s very loose and wet and he got through it a lot easier than I thought he would.
"The only scare I had was the loose horse running out in front of me going by the stands. My lad went to go with him for a second but other than that it was very straightforward. He was fine until the loose horse came to annoy him.
"I kept him out on the nicer bit of the ground and after jumping the third last, he quickened up real well going to the second last and away he went with his race.
"He was tight at the last and I didn’t know how much Keith (Donoghue) was going to find then, but in fairness to my lad he put his head back down and battled hard again to the line.
"He felt like he was back to himself today over that trip and on that ground."
