Nina Carberry, right, loses her whip but guides Pat's Pick home in Fairyhouse© Photo Healy Racing
Nina Carberry got a tune out of Pat's Pick in the final furlong of the Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper as the pair got up in the shadow of the post.
The newcomer was fifth at the furlong pole but made relentless progress into third on the outside and then cut down the two remaining foes in the final 50 yards.
Noel Meade 's Shantou gelding won at 10/1 by half a length from Black Tears (7/1) and Yukon Lil (5/1) who was a length further away.
Lisa O'Neill, who was on board the runner-up Black Tears, was hit with a five-day suspension for her use of the whip in the latter stages.
Pat's Pick gave Meade a double on the card as Bel Ami De Sivola also scored for him in the Grade B novice handicap chase.
Noel Meade said: “We’ve liked him all along but I didn’t think he’d win. We never really dipped him that much. He came here for a schooling race and he worked very well. That was about a month ago and he’s just been cantering away since.
“We won’t run him any more until next season when he’ll jump. Kevin Ross bought him for Joe Sloan at that sale and I’m delighted for him because we had a nice horse for him that got killed this day last year at the last hurdle when it looked like he might win. He’s had plenty of bad luck but they are great owners and I’m delighted he won for them.
“He’s by Shantou and has a good pedigree. He’s still very weak and I’d say he will improve a lot. He’ll come back a nice horse after the summer.
“And what can you say about the jockey - she’s just different class!”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
