Turasoir (nearside) just gets up for Paul Cawley© Photo Healy Racing
The Leugh Handicap Hurdle produced a thrilling three-way photo with Turasoir confirmed the winner after some deliberation by the judge.
Amateur rider Paul Cawley, riding just his third winner, was completing a notable family double on the day as his older brother Alain was on the mark earlier at Southwell aboard Fair Frank. Mac Cennetig looked set to score when asserted after two out but was steadily reeled in on the run-in by Turasoir and Marino Marvel challenging between the pair.
The three flashed past the post together and judge Jennifer Walsh eventually determined that the John Nicholson-trained 9/1 chance had beaten Mac Cennetig by a nose, with Marino Marvel the same distance away in third.
A relieved Nicholson said, "We were beaten a nose yesterday (with Nora Batt at Navan) and I was sure she (Turasoir) was beaten again.
"I bought her last year from Pat Tallis and I'll have to give him a few quid now as that was the deal we've done, so I owe him a few pounds now!
"She's a lovely mare and we've had great fun with her and Paul Cawley comes and rides out one day a week with me and I'm delighted for him. It's his first winner for me and he is a nice chap but weight is his problem.
"She has a good pedigree and we'll go to Dundalk during the winter."
Regarding his use of a crutch, he added "I've some new body parts and have a new hip. Tadhg O'Sullivan (surgeon) looked after that and it was done five weeks ago, so he probably won't want to see me on one crutch today!"
(TW & AM)
