Coup for Ahern as Counting lands Down Royal finale at 25/1 Counting Coup sprang a 25/1 shock in the finale at Down Royal when running out a game winner of the Event Co Marquees Maiden for trainer Maurice Ahern. The Vita Venturi gelding had been well-held when sixth in a Sligo bumper on his debut last month but left that run well behind. Nathan Crosse’s mount hit the front crossing the road in the mile-five contest and dug deep when pressed by Daddy Long Legs going to the furlong marker. Counting Coup stayed on strongly in the closing stages to assert and record a three-length victory. Ahern said: "I have him three years and he just ran into a few little problems. "We'll probably go to Galway now for a maiden hurdle, and he might go for the Apprentice Derby next Friday night and then onto Galway. "He's an exciting horse." When asked if he is ground dependent, he replied: "No, he will go on anything." (Quotes by Michael Graham)
