Mooretown Boy (noseband) is ridden out by Niall McCullagh© Photo Healy Racing
The 12yo veteran Mooretown Boy recorded his first win in over six years as he took the Tadgh Clifford Groundcare Handicap for his trainer Frank Oakes with Niall McCullagh aboard.
The son of Lapierre notched up three handicap wins in-a-row in 2006 but failed to score on his next twenty-eight starts until today.
After finishing a good third on his last start at Gowran behind Morethanafeeling he was sent off at 14/1.
He raced towards the rear in the early stages and was driven along after halfway before he made rapid headway on the outer in the early straight.
He came with his challenge two furlongs out and hit the front a furlong from home before keeping on well to hold off the late surge of Lady Lyrath (12/1) under Gary Carroll by a head.
The 10yo Toufan Express who won at Dundalk on Sunday, finished a further neck back in third under Ian Brennan at 13/2 while the 4/1 favourite Cairdiuil was a further neck back in fourth under Joseph O’Brien for Iggy Madden.
Winning trainer Frank Oakes said afterwards: "What can you say about a fella at twelve years of age. Sure he is nearly as old as myself but he still retains plenty of ability.
"He is as fresh as a daisy at home. He is a real Christian and even a child could ride him.
"I said if he won today that I’d keep him in training next year. He can’t jump a hurdle or fence at speed but he is a great show jumper over poles and that’s what he will do when he retires from racing."
(On-course reporting by Alan Magee)
