The loose Wild Fern races away from the last, with Chitu (red and yellow) and Comehere Hi in a share of the lead© Photo Healy Racing
Chitu sprang a 50/1 surprise as he bounced back to form to land the Best Dressed Lady Competition At Kilbeggan Races On 6th August Handicap Hurdle.
Successful in a bumper at Perth last summer, and a maiden hurdle at Musselburgh in November, the Stuart Crawford trained six-year-old had been very disappointing in four starts since.
Rated 127 in May, the son of Desert King was down to a mark of 118 for today's two mile contest.
Settled in mid-division by Andrew Lynch, he took closer order on the outer from three out. He was almost on terms with the leaders after the next, and he jumped the last in a share of the lead.
He got to the front shortly after that flight, and kept on well on the run-in, going on to score by half a length. Comehere Hi (20/1) improved into a share of the lead at the last, but she blundered there and that certainly didn't help her cause. She kept on again on the run-in, but had to settle for second under Mark Enright for James Nash. Walkabout completed the placings a further four lengths back in third under Jack Kennedy for Gordon Elliott at 4/1. Supreme Vinnie was sent off the 10/3 favourite and he finished a disappointing eighth under Rachael Blackmore for Denise O'Shea.
Stuart Crawford said afterwards: "I definitely wasn't expecting that. It was a pleasant surprise.
"The horses were out of form but we had a couple of winners at Perth last Sunday and they seem to be starting to run a bit better.
"I was on the cold list as I had gone 99 days without a winner but that's three winners in less than a week now.
"His last couple of runs were very disappointing. The change in ground probably helped him. He doesn't want it soft by any means but that just left it nice and it was similar ground to the day he won his maiden hurdle.
"We had thought he might go novice chasing but I'm not sure what the plan is now."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
