Courting Vickie jumps the last alongside eventual third Womalko© Photo Healy Racing
Courting Vickie sprang a 50/1 surprise in the Prior Park Service Station Clonmel Handicap Chase, providing her rider Sarah Kavanagh with a third career success.
A winner over the course and distance in a handicap hurdle in April, the Jimmy Barcoe-trained eight-year-old had been disappointing since and was pulled up at Fairyhouse last week.
On what was just her second start over fences this afternoon, the Court Cave bay, who was carrying just nine stone twelve, was settled behind the leaders, improving into a much closer second from three out.
In front before the next, she battled on tenaciously when pressed, holding off Bonnie Kellie (15/2) by half-a-length, with another half-a-length back to Womalko in third.
The latter was pretty much the only one punters wanted to know about, with the six-year-old sent off the 4/5 favourite (13/8 early) on what was his debut for Gordon Elliott.
"She pulled up the other day when things didn't go according to plan so I brought her out quickly again," Barcoe, who also owns the winner, revealed.
"She had two grand runs over hurdles before that so it is great to see her win today.
"She had one run over fences, in a handicap when finishing fourth previously here and it is great to see her come back to that.
"The way she jumped, you'd think fences would suit her more as they go steadier.
"Sarah was working for me but there were other bigger stables who wanted her so I told her to go to other places. She is very keen, works hard and wants it. She was good and positive on her."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
