Mountain Fox with Frank and Carmel Oakes © Photo Healy Racing
Plenty held a chance as the runners fanned out right across the track with two furlongs to race in the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund Handicap (45-65), but in the end Mountain Fox (17/2) came clear on the stands’ side rail.
A grand servant to owner/trainer Frank Oakes, the Fast Company gelding scored by four and a quarter lengths in the hands of Nathan Crosse, with 50/1 chance Talsara taking second place.
It was a second win on the Flat for the 8-year-old, who had shown a liking for this track in the past with many good placed efforts here.
“He's great and I wish I had a few more, he's the only one I have at the minute, said a delighted Oakes.
“He worked on Wednesday, Ricky Doyle rode him over seven furlongs and he said 'he'll nearly win for you on Monday'.
“I said 'that'll do'. I was going to ride him myself but I said I'd get Ricky's opinion as he won on him over hurdles.
“That was to be his last Flat race as he was going jumping, he's a super leaper and he's crying out for a distance — two or two-and-a-half miles.
“That might change a bit now! It depends on what the handicapper does now, that's the problem as he only dropped him 4lb in four years. He's only a pony.
“I ride him out every day myself except on the weekends when my daughter Wendy rides him. I do everything, put the shoes on him, bring him everywhere but sure what else would I be doing at my age?
“I turned 80 the other day, that's all. I'm a young 80.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
