Big race success for Collins and Finegan Champagne Kid provided northern trainer Pat Collins and 7lb claimer Eoghan Finegan with their biggest success to date when landing the €100,000 Neville Hotels Premier Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown. The six-year-old gelding won a maiden hurdle at Punchestown last month and followed up here at odds of 15/2. The son of Vadamos made most of the running and kept on gamely under pressure on the run-in to beat Thisistheway by three and a half lengths. Saint Le Fort came home well a further three-quarters of a length back in third, with Bunting completing the places in fourth. Collins’ son, and assistant trainer, Sean said, “He’s really turned a corner since his run in Listowel. He’s the sort of horse that gets himself fired up for the occasion, whether it’s his work or just a bit of cantering. “Eoghan gave him a great ride and is a jockey going places. “We might come back here for the Dublin Racing Festival or maybe Cheltenham. You never know! “He’s a good horse and we’re lucky to have him.”
