Red Devil Lads (David Mullins) hits the final flight© Photo Healy Racing
Red Devil Lads provided a 28/1 shock when taking the €50,000 Proudstown Handicap Hurdle for Emmet Mullins and his cousin David.
The Beneficial gelding was a progressive handicap chaser for Rebecca Curtis a few seasons back before losing his way, and weakened in the straight on his first start for new connections at Cork in August.
The complete outsider in this 13-runner line-up made all the running under David Mullins and, despite a slight mistake at the last, stayed on really well on the run-in to beat 9/4 favourite Glenloe by two and a half lengths. Mon Lino could find no extra in the closing stages finishing a further two lengths away in third.
Emmet Mullins said, "We quietly fancied him, and he had done some nice bits of work only of late. He's a very free-going horse and he has been on his own since his last run in August. It is only the last few weeks he has settled down to working with other horses.
"David gave him a brilliant ride. He switched off out in front and just threw the reins at him and he just kept galloping.
"I'm delighted for Bertie Cunningham. I bought the horse and luckily Bertie came in and took him from me.
"He could (go for a Pertemps qualifier) and he could go back over fences. He has a high enough mark over fences for some of the bigger pots. I wouldn't be surprised if he mixed it."
(MG & AM)
