The Big Cat is driven out by Declan McDonogh© Photo Healy Racing
Despite being friendless in the market The Big Cat ran out a good winner of the Lynn Lodge Stud Maiden, scoring under Declan McDonogh for his boss John Oxx.
The three-year-old son of Footstepsinthesand disappointed on his debut at Dundalk in February, finishing fourth of seven when sent off a 13/8 chance.
After opening at 7/2 this morning the Dundalk Racing Club owned gelding started on-course at 9/2 before going off an 11/2 chance.
Having raced in mid-division he was fifth on the outer as they turned for home.
He was ridden to challenge from three furlongs out, getting to the front just inside the furlong pole before keeping on well from there to score by a length and a quarter. Sindarban (5/1) was short of room over a furlong out and once he got in the clear he kept on well to take second under Shane Foley for Mick Halford. Hurricane Volta was sent off a 3/1 co-favourite of three and he finished a further three parts of a length back in third under Wayne Lordan for David Wachman. Next Bend and Hagler (backed from 11/2) were the other co-favourites and they finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Slim O’Neill, assistant to John Oxx, said afterwards: "He is a handicapper and he is a horse that will step up now. He loves fast ground.
"A mile and a quarter to a mile and a half is his trip. We haven’t had him that long so we didn’t know a whole lot about him.
"We knew he had a little aversion to the stalls but he was very good today."
Colm McCourt heads up the Dundalk Racing Club and he added: "He is named after Mickey McMahon a legendary punter from Dundalk. He died on the day that I named him.
"That's the first winner we have had with John Oxx since 2006 – Flash McGahon. I think that is our seventieth winner overall.
"After he ran at Dundalk I took him home for two months. A friend of mine owns the mare (Abama Lady) and this is the first foal and hopefully he will go on from this."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Chester Storm trained by Michael Mulvany, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be lame on her off-fore post race.
F. Lynch, rider of Chester Storm, trained by Michael Mulvany, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount's action felt wrong on leaving the stalls and was pulled up.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
