Visionarian and Sean Flanagan © Photo Healy Racing
Sean Flanagan saw his patience rewarded when bringing Visionarian from last to first in the straight to win the Grade 2 PWC Champion Chase at Gowran Park.
The old adage about backing the outsider of three proved correct once again, as Flanagan allowed the race develop in front of him before producing the 10/3 outsider to lead after two out. French Dynamite who had made much of the running, looked to have seen off the attentions of main pursuer Ash Tree Meadow entering the straight.
However, as the latter weakened, Flanagan arrived travelling strongly on the Gavin Cromwell trained nine-year-old.
Heading the leader after the penultimate obstacle, Visionarian went right away from the back of the last to win by four lengths.
Trainer Gavin Cromwell said: "Things certainly hadn't gone to plan since we got him as he wasn't right. That said, I was confident enough he'd run well but didn't expect him to win. I know the race ended up with only three runners but we'll take it and he is now a Grade 2 winner.
"The Galway Plate was initially the plan but he just wasn't right at that time and then was well beaten the last day but he is back on track now.
"Last night and with the weather forecast, we thought we mightn't be running but it went the other way and it suited us. To win this Grade 2 is brilliant."
Ash Tree Meadow was subsequently reported to have blood at both nostrils post-race.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
