Giant Haystacks wrestles victory from the jaws of defeat Giant Haystacks snatched victory from what appeared certain defeat when getting up close home to land the Matchbook Betting Exchange (Q.R.) Handicap Chase at Punchestown. The Ross O’Sullivan-trained gelding looked beaten in fourth approaching the home turn as My Cullen continued to blaze a trail in front. However, Dara McGill’s mount rallied strongly after two out with the 7/2 chance striking the front in the closing stages to deny the front-runner by half a length. Aurea Fortuna was bidding to land this 2m5f event for the second consecutive year, but the 5/4 favourite couldn’t find any extra on the run-in finishing a further three-quarters of a length away in third. O’Sullivan’s assistant Tom Harney said, “It's never easy when you have two horses with similar profiles in the same race but great that one of them got the job done. He got a great ride off Dara McGill. It looked like they went a strong pace, and Dara gave him a chance and he came home well. “That's his second win this campaign and the key to him is just a bit of nice ground. The long summer is helping him. I'm delighted for the lads (Keep It Simple Syndicate) from Clane.” Quotes by John O'Riordan
