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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

50/1 shot Cafe Del Mar floors gamble on Pale Blue Dot

Sat 19th Mar 2022, 17:48

Pale Blue Dot leads Cafe Del Mar after the lastPale Blue Dot leads Cafe Del Mar after the last
© Photo Healy Racing

The John O’Callaghan-trained Cafe Del Mar swooped late under Philip Donovan to record a 50/1 shock in the Jimmy Neville Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Thurles. Pale Blue Dot was all the rage for this 2m7f stamina test and, after being supported at all rates from 6/1 down to 13/8 favourite, looked sure to land the gamble when three lengths clear for trainer/rider Denis Hogan early on the run-in.

However, Café Del Mar really finished with a flourish in the final 100 yards getting up to score by half a length. Something Sweet also kept on nicely a further four-and-three-quarter lengths back in third with Sphagnum completing the places in fourth.

Donovan said, "It was her first run in a handicap but I don't know much about the horse and it was my first time riding for John.

"She isn't big but is game and tries hard. She'll love a bit of nice ground for the summer and should be competitive at the summer tracks.

"John told me she'd be in the first six but to be honest, I looked at him a bit funny! I wouldn't question him again if he fancied one and if I had another one for him, I'd definitely be taking it.

"I'm freelance but mainly with John Ryan, Edward O'Grady, James Grace and Dusty Sheehy."

(TW & AM)

1st
50/1
Tote €95.48 €10.89
2nd
0.5L
13/8Fav
€1.10
3rd
4.75L
5/1
€1.10
4th
6L
20/1
€4.73
About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.