Caridadi and Mike O'Connor © Photo Healy Racing
Caridadi was backed off the boards and duly landed the gamble in the Heinz Pollmeier Memorial Handicap Steeplechase to complete a double for 7lb claimer Mike O’Connor.
Having been available at 50/1 this morning, he opened at 28/1 on the show before being returned at 17/2.
O’Connor, amongst the winners earlier aboard Withallduerespect took his time aboard owner/trainer John Morrison’s 10-year-old before making headway from the fourth-last fence.
He challenged Sani Pass (5/1) at the second-last and a quick jump at the last sealed victory as he went away to account for that rival by three and three quarter lengths. Clody Valley (17/2) finished a further two and a half lengths away in third.
After three wins on the Flat and one over hurdles, it was a first chase win for Caridadi who was beaten all of ninety lengths, albeit over further, on his only previous run over fences at this venue in June.
"I rode him a couple of times before," said O’Connor, who also rode a winner for Morrison over hurdles at Limerick last month aboard Profound.
“He is a nice horse and we expected him to go close today. That's my third winner at the festival and things are going great."
Quotes from Donal Murphy
