Early action from the Children's Day At Bettyville Handicap© Photo Healy Racing
Manny Owens stuck his head out close home to land the spoils in a thrilling finish to the Children's Day At Bettyville Handicap at Wexford.
Fran Berry sat out the back in the early stages of the 1m3f contest before asking his mount to take closer order turning for home.
He launched his challenged at the furlong pole as the field spread wide with plenty in with chances. Cocoon had a narrow advantage in the closing stages but was nabbed in the dying strides by Manny Owens.
The 9/2 winner was making his first start since switching to Adrian Keatley's yard. He had went down by just half a length to the progressive Algonquin at the Curragh back in June. 10/3 favourite Breenainthemycra finished fourth.
"That was his first run for me, I don't have him that long," said Keatley.
"Everything went against him today. He had a bad draw, seemed to fall out of the stalls and he probably didn't handle the track that well.
"He kept finding though and he probably saved a bit up his sleeve as well.
"Hopefully he will be able to handle a penalty and win again. We will take our time with him now. His owner Martin Flinter is from near Naas."
(Additional reporting by Donal Murphy)
