Avagardner and Robbie Colgan (near side) beat Gordon Bennett© Photo Healy Racing
Avagardner was a shock 80/1 winner of the Sentinel Ireland Handicap in the hands of Robbie Colgan.
The daughter of Showcasing, a maiden winner at Dundalk last year, was making only her second appearance of the season having been unplaced at Leopardstown in July.
Fitted with a tongue-tie for the first time, she came from off the pace to lead inside the final furlong and defeat Gordon Bennett by half a length. In a finish dominated by outsiders, the frame was filled by Clara’s Approach and Earls with the 7/2 favourite Karlsberg never a factor.
Winning owner/trainer Sheila Lavery said: “Nobody is more surprised than me or Robbie. I've always liked this filly but I've been kind of struggling with her.
“I just thought if I threw enough mud at the wall it might stick.
“She's just disappointed, I don't know if she's trying to do it all on one breath. I said to Robbie I was going to run her over six and just see.
“She was behind the bridle the whole way and Robbie earned his fee. She has tons of ability and I really do like her but I haven't found the key to her yet.
“She's a fast ground filly and I'll look at the programme now. Because I like her so much I didn't put her in any of the sales and we'll see where she goes from here.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
