Oh Purple Reign and Jamie Codd (near side) touch off Meishar © Photo Healy Racing
Top amateurs Derek O’Connor and Jamie Codd served up a thrilling finish to the O'Neills Sports (Q.R.) Handicap with the latter conjuring an unlikely victory from Oh Purple Reign (8/1).
O’Connor was never far off the pace on 7/2 favourite Meishar and pushed his mount to the front over a furlong out.
The favourite looked set to collect at that point but Codd’s mount, who had dropped to eighth at halfway and still had seven rivals to pass heading to the furlong marker, stormed home down the near-side to lead close home and beat the market leader by half a length.
It was a fifth career win for the Sir Prancealot gelding.
Winning trainer Gordon Elliott said: “That was great. He has loads of ability, he's in the sales on Thursday.
“Shane Grant is here so it's great. He owns him with friends including Kieran McManus, Brian O'Leary and Ian Murphy. They are all involved in him and it's great he won for a bit of craic.
“It's Brian O'Leary's birthday as well so it's good for him.
“This has been a lucky place for me and it's great to have a winner here, I still get a kick out of it.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
