Father and son team Conor (right) and Charlie O'Dwyer© Photo Healy Racing
Plenty had chances in the closing stages of the extended 2m6f handicap hurdle and in the end it was Crossgaleschicflic (16s into 12s before the off) who came out on top for Conor and Charlie O'Dwyer.
Fourth turning into the straight, the daughter of Milan was a bit outpaced two out and made a mistake at the last but stayed on well up the inner to score by three parts of a length from the fast-finishing Dr Val Memory Of Youth and Speed Gang who were vying for the lead on the run to the final flight, filled the frame.
It was a first victory for the five-year-old on her third start in handicap company.
Winning trainer Conor O'Dwyer said: “I bought her off Benny and Jenny Walsh down in Wexford, I bought Rajsalad off them as well and they are great sellers
“She was third in two point-to-points and they said that when she got soft ground and when we got a mark for her and a trip she'll win for us and they were spot on.
“She fell at the first in Down Royal in her first handicap and that maybe taught her a lesson. I thought she ran a cracker in Punchestown the last day and stepped on today.
“It's lovely to have her for the winter. I don't know where we go now but she'll jump a fence and they are hard to get, those type of horses.
“She has a bit of size and she'll jump a fence in time, there is no rush. We'll enjoy today as it's the lads first horse. It's great to get a winner.
“She has a good pedigree and I said to them, when they came to me first, to try to buy something that if she doesn't work out you can go breeding or something as a fall back. I was hoping that wouldn't be the plan and it has worked out nicely today.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
