Foxy Forever, right, wins the Rockingham at the Curragh© Photo Healy Racing
Foxy Forever showed plenty of dash as he served up a 20/1 shock in the Tote Rockingham Handicap over the flying five furlongs at the Curragh.
He was up in the front rank to be shot at by his 20 rivals but had the aid of the stands-side rail after breaking well from stall 14.
The five-year-old gelding, in the first-time blinkers, was scrubbed along over two furlongs out by Colm O'Donoghue. The pair held a slight advantage heading into the last 200 yards and boxed on well to prevail by two and a quarter lengths.
It was close for second between Discussiontofollow (6/1f) and Desert Law (8/1), with the former edging it by a head. Ardhoomey who was prominent throughout, came home fourth at 14/1.
Trainer Michael Wigham said: "That is my first runner in Ireland, and the last time I was here as a jockey back in the 1980's I rode a Group 3 winner at Leopardstown called Valley Victory.
"I rode a lot for Mel Brittain, and he was just a very nice man and a pleasure to ride for. If he was around today he would be one of the first on the phone.
"This was on the agenda for a long time, and I knew he was a decent horse. He's a late maturing type just coming to hand. We wanted rain and we got it. He needs good ground or to get his toe in a bit.
"I thought he was too quiet beforehand in the parade ring and then he got too lit up at the start (went through the front of the stalls).
"Irish Champions Weekend could be on the cards. He won in the style of a good handicapper. We'll take him home and see where we go. We'll see what the handicapper does and then either stay in handicaps or go for stakes races."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
