Rocky Court and Denis O'Regan© Photo Healy Racing
Stephen Mahon had three horses placed earlier on the card, two of which were ridden by Denis O'Regan. The pair got their due reward in the penultimate race on the programme, the Weddings At Breaffy Beginners Chase, when Rocky Court came up trumps.
Favourite Black Warrior couldn't match the likes of the winner around the top bends and stay on as he did on the run-in, he was still four and a half lengths adrift of 12/1 shot Rocky Court at the line.
"We were knocking on the door all night!" commented the winning County Galway-based trainer in the aftermath.
Mahon then explained: "I really fancied him at Fairyhouse, but he went lame behind. A horse struck in to him coming down from Ballyhack.
"He had a nice puffy joint after it, but he was sound two days later.
"I had him and he won a maiden hurdle. The horses weren't running well then and John (Rabbitte, owner) sent him to John Joe Walsh.
"He was always going to win when he came back to me! He likes the Galway air!
"We will keep it simple with him, he is nicely handicapped.
"I have a nice lot of horses, probably the strongest team I've ever had for the summer campaign. It's onwards and upwards from here."
C. Brassil, rider of She's Everything trained by S.J.Mahon, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount overjumped in the early stages.
(DM & EM)
