King Christophe and an understandably delighted Chris Hayes© Photo Healy Racing
Chris Hayes completed the first four-timer of his career when King Christophe owned by his uncle, Sean Greaney, brought up the impressive 965/1 Limerick haul, in the finale, the Summer Twilight Nights Handicap.
This three runner affair was expected to go the way of 8/13 shot Vilman with King Christophe languishing as the outsider of the party at 4/1.
However he rubbished that tag, heading Magic Of Christmas from over two furlongs out before putting a comfortable five and a half lengths between himself and Vilman.
"The horses have been running great but we've been knocking the paint off the cross-bar since the start of the season and that's our first winner," said successful handler Patrick Prendergast.
"I thought a lot of him and ran him in a few stakes races last season but he disappointed. However we gelded him over the winter and he is back working like he used to now.
"He has schooled already over hurdles and jumps like a cat."
Appropriately enough of course Hayes is a Limerick native and his earlier winners came aboard Corail (3/1, Paul Deegan), Pushkar (28/1, Tim Doyle) and Katie T (4/6 for his boss Kevin Prendergast).
(TW & EM)
