Big Gossey leads home his rivals under Robert Whearty© Photo Healy Racing
Curragh specialist Big Gossey recorded his sixth success at the Co Kildare venue as he landed the David Power Memorial Premier Handicap.
Running in this race for the fourth consecutive year and beaten by just a head in 2022, the admirable Charles O'Brien-trained seven-year-old was sent off a 12/1 chance (16s early).
Settled behind the leaders by Robert Whearty, the Allegro Syndicate-owned victor was sent to the front with two furlongs to race and was soon ridden, keeping on resolutely in the closing stages and coming home a length-and-a-quarter to the good.
Coming from well off the pace, Greek Flower (17/2) came through to take second under Jamie Powell, while Rahmi (11/1) was just a neck away in third.
Returned the 9/2 favourite (from 9s), My Mate Alfie could only manage a disappointing sixth under Colin Keane for Ger Lyons.
"He winged the gates. The only thing was I was probably there a little bit too soon. He has a tendency to hit a bit of a flat spot about two and a half furlongs down and I didn't want to allow him to do it," Whearty reflected.
"He knows the place inside out and stayed galloping, he knew where he had to stop. He has had plenty of runs around here but has also had plenty of luck.
"He is not a bad horse and has been very good to me."
Gary O’Brien, part owner who rides the winner out every day, added: "That's his sixth win here and his 35th run at the Curragh. He's an incredible little horse and has a big heart.
"We thought this race was mapped out for him today. He ran a brilliant race in the Rockingham and Charles said to me the drop of rain this morning will do no harm to him.
"You have to work out his programme every day because no one day is the same with him. When we bring him here to work you have to lead him down to the Old Vic.
"We don't argue with him any more and there is no point as he'd win the battle anyway.
"He's like a family pet and will retire to St Margarets when he's ten or eleven and we can all go up an visit him for the rest of his life.
"I've such an attachment to the horse and he trusts me like you wouldn't believe. I ride him out every morning and today was a very special day."
STEWARDS REPORT
D. Egan, rider of Gerrit's Gem trained by Kieran P. Cotter, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung right under pressure.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
