Stormingin (grey with noseband) gets up to deny London (left)© Photo Healy Racing
Stormingin produced a power packed last furlong and a half, getting up in the shadow of the post in the concluding Christmas Party Package Maiden.
A decent eighth of seventeenth on his debut at Navan in August, the Stephen Nolan trained grey was sent off an unconsidered 25/1 chance today.
Settled in mid-division on the outer under Ross Coakley, the son of Clodovil appeared to be struggling in eighth with three furlongs to race.
He still had plenty to do in fourth with a furlong and a half to go, but he picked up strongly from there, getting up on the line to prevail by a head.
The well-supported 11/4 favourite (from 7/2) London was the one he denied, that one having to settle for the runner-up spot under Donnacha O'Brien for his father Aidan. Creme De La completed the placings half a length back in third under Leigh Roche for Dermot Weld at 3/1. The daughter of English Channel has now been placed on all nine of her career starts to date.
Stephen Nolan said afterwards: "I've always thought a lot of him and he had a good first run. He only got away with the good to firm ground then and he is a high knee action.
"They weren't slowing down up front today and he did well to catch them. He's learning his game and will be a nice horse for next year."
"It's my first winner for Jim Browne, from Kilnamoragh Stud, who also bred him."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards enquired into the reason for M.K. O'Sullivan , Apprentice Jockey, presenting himself at scales at 3lbs overweight for his ride on Rubenesque trained by John Joseph Murphy. Evidence was heard from M.K. O'Sullivan and John Joseph Muphy. Having considered all the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that M.K. O'Sullivan was in breach of Rule 198(vii) and fined him €150. Furthermore they granted permission for M.K. O'Sullivan to ride at this weight as there were exceptional circumstances.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
