Jappeli & Ross Coakley (nearest) just get up to beat Kanes Pass © Photo Healy Racing
The white-faced Jappeli (10/1) just held off Kanes Pass to win the Feale 3yo Handicap for her trainer Ken Condon with seven pound claiming apprentice Ross Coakley aboard.
The chestnut daughter of Selkirk won on her fifth handicap start at Tipperary in August and then ran a fine race to finish fourth behind Benalex Park on her next start at Killlarney.
Last time out she ran no sort of race and finished a long way behind Consonance (re-opposed today) in a handicap at the Galway Festival.
Dropping back in trip to six furlongs for just the second time today, she raced in mid-division early on and was seventh entering the straight.
She went in pursuit of the leaders a furlong and a half out and stayed on best under pressure to hit the front close home and just hold off Kanes Pass (5/1), under double seeking Ronan Whelan, by a short head. Jackemil ran a nice race to finish a further two and a half lengths back in third for John Walsh and Ben Curtis at 14/1 while the 5/2 favourite (opened 4/1 with Paddy Powers this morning) Consonance for Pat Smullen and Joe Murphy could only manage a disappointing sixth.
Winning trainer Ken Condon said afterwards: "I'm very pleased with that. I wasn’t sure what to expect as she struggled on the heavy ground at Galway.
"There seemed to be no bottom to the ground there but as the season comes to an end she seems to be getting tougher and we said we would let her take here chance.
"I'm delighted for Ross, who is our stable apprentice, and his seven pound claim is valuable. He has been on the wrong side of a few photo finishes and it is nice for him to win this one."
There was a slight sting in the tail for Coakley as he was hit with a two day suspension by the stewards for his use of the whip.
(On-course reporting by Alan Magee)
