Carmels Boy is awkward at the last in Down Royal© Photo Healy Racing
"The jockey did well to stay on him" Carmels Boy s owner Dermot O'Brien said after his horse served up a 20/1 shock in the hunters chase at Down Royal.
That could be a massive understatement as Richie Deegan earned plenty of plaudits for staying on board when Carmels Boy blundered badly at the last.
The outsider stayed on well though for a length decision over Kanesh (6/1), with Russian Regent three parts of a length further away in third. Final Gift went off 11/10 favourite for trainer John Costello but he could make no impression on the front three and had to settle for fourth.
This was restricted trainer Neil McKnight second winner on the track. He trains nearby in Loughbrickland, Co Down and said: "This horse has lots of ability. He's very quirky and wasn't in love with the game.
"I took him point-to-pointing and he enjoyed it. He might got to Taylorstown point-to-point on Saturday [near Newry].
"I have 16 horses, but only four for the track. Most of my horses are for point-to-pointing.
The win was owner Dermot O'Brien's first track success. He has three horses with McKnight and is from Jerrettspass Co Down.
