Whiskey And Rye (left) lands just ahead of Fiery Oscar at the last© Photo Healy Racing
Brian O'Connell gave Whiskey And Rye a well judged ride as he claimed the Minorstown Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel.
Fiery Oscar looked set to score in the two-mile event when hitting the front turning for home but was tracked through by John Joe Walsh's charge.
The well-backed 7/2 favourite (from 5/1) was ridden to tackle Fiery Oscar after the second last and got his measure jumping the final flight.
The Catcher In The Rye gelding kept on well on the run-in to post a two-and-a-quarter length success.
The winner had slipped up early on his last appearance, at Limerick over Christmas, but had some decent placed efforts to his name previously.
“He was a bit unlucky at Limerick the last day when he stumbled and we thought he had a right chance today,” said Walsh.
“We'll try and find another little race for him.”
Walsh also revealed that the winning owner Tom Burrage is a businessman based neared London.
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
