Dandy Mag, white and red, storms into contention at the last© Photo Healy Racing
Dandy Mag came from a long way back to take the spoils in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle Qualifier at Leopardstown.
The seven-year-old gelding knifed through the field from rear after the second last and arrived on the premises in third at the final flight.
He was in full stride and swept past The Bosses Oscar with 100 yards to race and went on by a length to reward his backers at 16/1.
Runner-up The Bosses Oscar was 11/2 and was a length and three quarters in front of 9/2 favourite Unexpected Depth The front three were clear of Mrs Milner who completed the placings in fourth at 7/1.
“It was a fantastic ride by Paul (Townend) who timed it perfectly,” said Willie Mullins.
“He was off for a long time before his run at Naas. The ease in the ground and trip were a huge help to him today.
“I'm hoping that gives him his ticket now to run in the final. We haven't had many runners in it and hopefully he goes there with a reasonable chance.”
Dandy Mag was a second winner on the card for Mullins and Townend, and gave Mullins an across-the-card treble with Ciel De Neige prevailing in Limerick.
Paddy Power gave Dandy Mag a first show of 14/1 for the Pertemps Network Final and cut The Bosses Oscar from 12/1 to 9/1.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
