Desertmore Steam and Brian O'Connell in full flow© Photo Healy Racing
After Brian O'Connell's second race win on Lilly The Lioness a victory in the Kilbeggan Patrons Club Hurdle on Desertmore Stream completed a double for the Limerick rider.
It all threatened to go wrong for Desertmore Stream though, when at the second last flight, when in control, he made a terrible blunder.
However, gathered together quickly, the Gigginstown House Stud-owned and Philip Fenton-trained now four time track, went on to keep favourite, Golden Wonder at bay, by six lengths.
O'Connell commented: "He can be very good to jump but he always misses one or two throughout a race.
"He had hurdled quite well throughout the race and maybe it was just the first hurdle he was in front at and he just took his eye off the ball a little bit. He had enough in reserve to stay galloping away to the line.
"This is a great little horse. At the start of the year he couldn't win his maiden and we were struggling and now the penny has just dropped with him and he's winning over three miles.
"He looked like a real speed horse that just about got two at the beginning of the year but he's completely turned the corner and now he's looking like a stayer."
Meanwhile Fenton said: "That mistake would put the heart crossways in you! It was the first hurdle he was in front, and he'd jumped well up to then.
"He's been kept busy and is still a novice until the start of October. He will probably go to Listowel, and chasing next year." (AM & EM)
