Church Mountain and Joey SHeridan green number 3 win the William Hill Handicap © Photo Healy Racing
Church Mountain improved on his recent stable debut for Michael O'Callaghan when getting up close home under Joey Sheridan to win the William Hill Lengthen Your Odds Handicap at Killarney.
A three-time winner for Denis Hogan, twice ridden by Sheridan, the five-year-old had finished a respectable seventh at Leopardstown on his recent debut for O'Callaghan.
Although usually a front-runner or prominent racer, the Pride Of Dubai gelding was held up here, as he had been on his most recent start.
Pushed along in mid division over a furlong out, Sheridan weaved a path through a tight field to head leader Dragon Of Malta inside the last 50 yards.
The latter kept on well but dropped to third close home, as Giuseppe Cassioli ran on to take second.
Michael O'Callaghan: "When we moved to a new yard it was five minutes from Joe's (Kelly, owner) house, and he came to us last winter and asked us would we train the horse. We've had him since the spring and he previously won races for Denis Hogan.
"He is a fine big horse but is quirky and has taken a lot to get settled. He ran very well the last day, Joey gave him a lovely ride and depending on what the handicapper does, might win another one.
"It was great to see him handle yielding ground today. He is a grand horse for the lads and I'm delighted for them."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
