Halford's joy at former charge's Listed success Mick Halford has been reflecting upon the exploits of his ex-charge Chally Chute who sprang a massive surprise at 125/1 in the Listed Lenebane Stakes at Roscommon on Tuesday. The trainer, who announced his retirement in February after a long and distinguished career, now represents Joseph O'Brien at racetracks. Chally Chute, a seven-year-old Fast Company gelding, won three races for Halford and a further contest when the trainer held a joint licence with Tracy Collins. On his first start in Roscommon for Ross O'Sullivan, he powered to the front for Donagh O'Connor approaching the final furlong and kept on well to see it out by a length and a-half. Halford said: "Thrilled for the horse and his owners in particular. His owners are good friends of mine. "He was a very special horse to us. "I was in Tipperary, I didn't get to Roscommon but I was thrilled to see him win for them. "Lovely horse, decent horse on his day. He had very good form and there was always going to be a good one in him. Coming up to this time of year, he always ran well. "He was only touched off in a big handicap in Galway a couple of times."
