Cher Why Not and Cian Quirke© Photo Healy Racing
Cher Why Not came with a wet sail under Cian Quirke to annex the Clonmel Handicap Hurdle over an extended three miles.
You couldn't have called the 25/1 shot an obvious threat never mind a winner in seventh and pushed along a couple of furlongs from home. Presenting Point and Well Polly were at the head of affairs, almost track-width apart racing to the second last and held a clear advantage over the remainder.
Cher Why Not jumped that flight in sixth, but was left fourth when both Royal Recital and Steps Match departed.
The front two hadn't put the race away by the last and Cher Why Not was produced in third between then on the run-in. He soon powered away to win by four and a quarter lengths.
Trainer Tim Doyle said: "He is a slow horse, can't go any quicker and you just leave it to himself and he always finishes out his races. I knew he was working well at home but I was still pleasantly surprised.
"He gave him a super ride and did exactly what the horse needs and left it to himself.
"He picked up an injury when he was going very well three years ago and we gave him plenty time and it has paid off. He might run on Monday in Tipperary."
He added: "The horses were wrong all summer, we're only getting going in the last couple of weeks and ran our first horse last week, having had no runner from the end of May.
"They are all ready to roll now but time is running out for the Flat ones, so they may have to run at Dundalk."
This was the 10-year-old gelding's second win with the other coming at Thurles over an extended two miles six furlongs in February 2019.
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
