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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Mine Now springs 33/1 surprise in Pertemps

Thu 28th Dec 2017, 13:30

Mine Now (nose band) is about to strike the front on the home bendMine Now (nose band) is about to strike the front on the home bend
© Photo Healy Racing

Connections of Mine Now can make their travel plans for Cheltenham in March after the Peter Fahey-trained gelding landed the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle Qualifier at Leopardstown.

The first six finishers in this three-mile stamina test are eligible to run in the Final of the series at the Cheltenham Festival, and the nine-year-old gelding just held on here in an exciting finish.

Richie Deegan ’s mount travelled well to lead off the home bend and soon asserted.

However the 33/1 chance was strongly pressed by A Great View who came from a long way back early in the straight, in the closing stages and just held on by a short-head. Glenloe was seven and a half lengths adrift in third, with Turbojet in fourth.

Fahey said, “He deserves it as we were just nicked for a big pot in Galway. You can put a line through his last run as I went back too soon with him. He needs to run fresh as he’s a small little horse and he puts everything into his runs.

“We’ve had a great year, our best ever, and it’s all down to everyone at home as we have great staff. I’m delighted for Richie and taking 7lb off is a great help.

“When we have a chance of going to Cheltenham we might as well go, and that will probably be his next run. He has plenty of pace to travel well in those races. I was always worrying about three miles with him but the dryer ground definitely helped.”

Deegan said, “Peter just said to me there 'what's with all the photo finishes! I said to myself going out that I had been beat staying on the last two days so I wanted to make a little bit more use of him.

“I didn't plan on being in front that soon but at the second last a couple just missed it and one fell. I just landed there. In fairness to the horse he was tough and was just pricking his ears. When Mark came he went on again. He was just idling a bit but there was nice ground on the rail.

“I won a point-to-point on him for the owners, when Aidan Fitzgerald was training him, and in fairness they left me on him. Even when I got beat on him they still left me on him.”

When asked if the owners would be keen on a trip to Cheltenham now Deegan responded:- “I'd be keener!”

Betfair make Mine Now a 33/1 chance for the Final at Cheltenham, with A Great View at 25/1, while Paddy Power go 40/1 Mine Now.

(GC & AM)

1st
33/1
Tote €55.80 €12.20
2nd
shd
10/1
€3.00
3rd
7.5L
8/1
€2.50
4th
0.75L
16/1
€5.00
bf
5.5L
7/1JFav
About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.