Shantou Lucky with winning connections (and Santa)© Photo Healy Racing
Shantou Lucky came home strongly to grab the spoils in the first split of the Old House, Kill Handicap Hurdle over an extended two miles three in Punchestown.
The 4/1 favourite was sent after Rebel Ivy and Paddy Wickla on the run to the final flight. Shantou Lucky stayed on well on the run-in to collar Rebel Ivy in the final 150 yards but Paddy Wickla kept finding between horses to keep the new leader more than honest close home.
Shantou Lucky was driven home by Conor Maxwell to win by a neck from Paddy Wickla (15/2). Rebel ivy (11/1) dropped two and a half lengths back to third.
Trainer Gavin Cromwell said: “Hopefully he’s a horse that will progress again if the handicapper is not too hard on him. He enjoys passing horses and he may go a little bit further.
“He’s still an immature horse and hopefully he’ll keep progressing.
“They owners are a great bunch and are having a right bit of fun.”
This was Shantou Lucky's second career victory having opened his account in a handicap hurdle at Down Royal in May.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
