Paddy & Martin Mooney© Photo Healy Racing
Supporters and connections of the well-backed favourite Liszt (at least 13/2 this morning into 4/1) endured a heart-break in the Garlow Cross Handicap Hurdle at Navan as the blinkered grey was collared near the finish by top-weight Good Fella and Martin Mooney (his first winner since the same horse scored on New Year's Day in 2009, the 11yo Religiously gelding hadn't scored in the meantime either).
Liszt's front-running effort appeared on the verge of success all the way up the straight but he made a mistake at the final hurdle and the petrol gauge was flashing red for him from that point on. Mark Enright's mount kept going gamely but he was caught and beaten by three parts of a length.
A first success for Good Fella away from Fairyhouse and taking his lifetime tally to five wins, prompted his trainer Paddy Mooney (father of the winning rider) to say: "He hates that ground – he wants it either looser or better.
"We were a bit fortunate that the one in front clattered the last.
"He'll probably go for a two mile six furlong handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse at Easter (a race he won four years ago)."
Martin Mooney later received a 5 day ban for using his whip with excessive frequency. (AM & EM)
