Ronald Pump (nearest) gets up to deny Eight And Bob© Photo Healy Racing
Paul Townend was denied a five-timer in dramatic fashion, as Ronald Pump came from the clouds to take the last at Cork this afternoon, the Kerrymaid Novice Handicap Hurdle.
Available at 33/1 in early shows, the Matthew Smith trained victor landed a gamble in the process, opening on-course at 20s, before going off an 11/1 chance.
Settled towards rear by Robbie Power, the chestnut five-year-old made some progress from four out, but still had plenty to do when ridden after the next.
He jumped the second last in ninth, but really powered home from there, getting up in the dying strides to beat Eight And Bob (2/1) by a neck.
The Willie Mullins trained runner-up blundered at the last, and that certainly didn't help his cause.
The 11/8 favourite Youcantcallherthat was another four and a half lengths back in third for Denis Hogan, while First Class Return (25/1) was another two and a quarter lengths away in fourth.
Smith, who trains the winner for the Laois Limerick Syndicate, said afterwards: "Robbie gave him some ride, and he said he knew jumping the last he'd win it. You nearly need to produce him that late as when he did get to the front he thought for a second.
"The plan was to get him settled as he can be a bit keen. I knew he'd come home like that and he went close at Wexford last year.
"He's versatile enough ground wise but the key to him is getting him relaxed and switched off. He can get a bit wound up."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
