Whips up as Usa & Nina Carberry (stars cap)wins from Wild China & Moonbi Creek (noseband)© Photo Healy Racing
Heavily backed favourite, Usa (11/8), second in the Hibernia Steel (QR) Race at Laytown a year ago, held on by a neck in this year's renewal of the concluding event at the celebrated County Meath venue.
On a good evening for punters, chants of Usa, Usa, Usa and Nina, Nina, Nina could be heard after Carberry (her first winner in the saddle since early June, broke her collarbone the same month) got the successful Bertolini gelding home from the fast-finishing Moonbi Creek
A delighted winning handler, Stephen Mahon proclaimed: "Find me a chaser that can win over seven furlongs and jump as well as he did at Ballinrobe (on his chase debut when fifth last time) – he's very exciting.
"We've always thought the world of him. I told Robbie (Dunne) in Ballinrobe not to break his stride and he jumped his way to the front he loved it so much.
"He was second over seven here last year and he should have won.
"When Barry (Geraghty) won on him I jokingly asked him would Sprinter Sacre have finished second over seven furlongs.
"I know he's not that great but I don't think he's a handicapper either and I'm really excited going novice chasing with him.
"Now Nina has won on him, Paul (Carberry) won on him twice and Barry's won on him. He's not an easy horse to ride and I ride him out myself at home."
The Galway-based trainer signed off with the quip: "I think the Aga Khan over-looked me!" (GC & EM)
