Chou Chou comes in at Limerick Junction With Limerick Junction train station adjacent to the track, Chou Chou was an apt but surprise winner of the concluding TipperaryRaces.ie Handicap. The lowest rated runner in the line-up on a mark of 42 and placed once in 21 previous starts, the Eamonn O'Connell-trained four-year-old was returned at 40/1. Settled towards rear of mid-division by Killian Leonard, the Belardo chestnut was pushed along approaching the straight and was soon brought to the outer. Ridden with over a furlong to go, he began to pick off rivals, getting up in the final strides to prevail by a head in the colours of the We Built This City Syndicate. Well-supported from 6/1 into 7/2 joint-favouritism, Thegooseiscooked was the one just denied, with Colin Keane aboard this eight-year-old for his father Gerry. Just three-quarters of a length off the front pair, Escape Act (14/1) was an eye-catching third, while Crypto Crash, the other joint-favourite, faded with over a furlong to go and finished down the field. "He's had bits of form. We had tongue ties and cheek pieces on him but left everything off today," O'Connell, who trains in the nearby village of Cullen, explained. "He's a quirky auld devil and put his head down and tried today. He liked the quicker ground. "The owners are all local and are happy out." STEWARDS REPORTS * N.M. Crosse, rider of Morning Approach, trained by W. McCreery, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount lost its hind legs turning in. * At the request of the Raceday Stewards, L.F. Roche, rider of Pegasus Of Harry (GB), trained by Eamonn O'Connell, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount did not let herself down on the ground. * The Raceday Stewards requested a report from Eamonn O'Connell, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Chou Chou, placed first, as compared with its recent run. Eamonn O' Connell reported that he left off all headgear today which was worn the last day in Limerick and this may have brought about the improvement. Having considered the report the Raceday Stewards noted the explanation given. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
