Topadee (nearside) holds off The Hamptons on the inside© Photo Healy Racing
Topadee (12/1) bounced back to form as she just held on to take division one of the Twilight BBQ Handicap over six furlongs for her trainer Pat Flynn with Danny Grant in the saddle.
The 5yo daughter of Golan disappointed on her first two starts of 2012 after winning one and finishing second on another occasion last season.
Having her first start over six furlongs this evening she made good progress from the rear to challenge on the outside with two furlongs left to race.
She hit the front a furlong from home and stayed on well inside the final furlong to score by a head holding off the challenge of The Hamptons (9/1).
The Niall Madden trained runner-up was coming with his challenge a furlong from home when he was switched to the inside by his jockey Fran Berry. He then kept on well from there and just failed to get up.
The Stewards called an Enquiry after the race but they made no alteration to the result.
The front pair went three lengths clear of Luckiest Owners who finished third under Leigh Roche at 14/1.
Winning trainer Pat Flynn said afterwards: "I was going to run her over five furlongs at Navan but I said I would chance her here with the ground yielding (officially good to yielding).
"I thought she might have needed the run but she is a lovely mare. I don’t know what happened to her at Cork last time out (where she pulled up).
"She is very unfortunate because her two wins have now come when the prize money has been halved (divided races). She will come on for the run.
"Her owner is Arthur Moynan and he is 92 years old and from Dunmore in Co Waterford. He comes down every fortnight to see her. I met him on Holidays a good few years and he said to me you are either Pat Flynn or his double!"
Donal Murphy & Thomas Weekes
