Story Rory and Kieran Callaghan win the Annestown handicap Hurdle © Photo Healy Racing
Thomas Gibney, on the mark earlier in the afternoon when Drop The Dip landed a big gamble at Listowel, enjoyed a fine end to the day with Story Rory completing a stable double in the Annestown Handicap Hurdle at Tramore.
A dual winner last summer, the eight-year-old had failed to sparkle in two starts this year but belied odds of 25/1 when travelling strongly before running out a game winner in the hands of Kieran Callaghan.
At least half a dozen horses held chances with two to jump but Callaghan consciously kept his mount wide in search of better ground; a move that was to pay dividends. Rock On Pedro emerged from the chasing pack to throw down a strong challenge at the final flight but a big jump at that obstacle sealed the outcome for Story Rory.
Tom Gibney said: "That wasn't my plan anyway. Kieran told me he was going to stay wide and I said; 'don't do a Danny on it!' Needless to say, I couldn't look for most of the way around. It worked anyway and fair play to Kieran.
"He is back down to his own grade and that's made a big difference to him. He'll keep going for the summer as he is a horse that wants a bit of good ground. He likes hurdling and he'll stay over them."
Additional reporting by Donal Murphy
