Lucy Wadham maintained her enviable strike-rate at Newcastle with The Glen Rovers, who outkicked Paradias and Gaucher close home to take the Midnite All-Weather Easter Classic.
Newmarket-based Wadham had enjoyed success with six of her previous 10 all-weather runners at the course, although The Glen Rovers was a 33/1 chance to add to that tally following three down-the-field efforts so far this season.
Gaucher (3/1) briefly looked set to add another major win to Willie Mullins’ glittering CV as he cruised into the lead a furlong and a half out, with Paradias (10/1) and The Glen Rovers laying down strong challenges to press the leader inside the final furlong.
Little separated all three until The Glen Rovers found more in the final strides to score by half a length under Sean D Bowen. Top-weight Gaucher, who was giving the winner 18lb, held on for second from Paradias as the first three home pulled two and a half lengths clear of 7/4 favourite Regal Ulixes.
Winning part-owner Conor Ryan said: “It is a dream come true. This is a gamechanger for Simon [Waterhouse] and I. The Glen Rovers is a fabulous horse. We have had him a couple of years now.
“He has been a bit difficult to train, so Lucy has done a fantastic job with him. He has taken his time to come to fruition this season. He has had a few setbacks, small issues, and gathered momentum over the last three runs.
“He came into this race today way over-priced. We came with plenty of confidence that the trip and the track would suit him because he has won here before. Sean has given him a peach of a ride. The team back at the yard have really looked after this horse. It is credit to them.”
On what was going through his mind watching the final furlong, co-owner Simon Waterhouse said: “I hardly dared believe it was true. The Glen Rovers was travelling so well. Sean rode him fantastically – he’s ridden him a lot of times and knows him well. We told him to ride for a place, so this is beyond our wildest dreams.”
Bowen said: “The Glen Rovers was very good today. I think he is actually two from two at Newcastle now. I jumped from a wide draw and got cover. He is always quick away, so that makes life a bit easier for me.
“They have gone a nice gallop, and he has done that well. Lucy and the team do a great job with the horse. I can’t thank them enough for giving me the opportunity.”
Billy Loughnane said of the runner-up: “Gaucher ran a cracker, especially as he was giving a lot of weight away to the winner.”
4.10pm Midnite All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Handicap
1 The Glen Rovers (Ryan, Waterhouse & Partner) Lucy Wadham 7-8-08 Sean D Bowen 33/1
2 Gaucher (Rose Boyd & Marie Armstrong) Willie Mullins 7-9-12 Billy Loughnane 3/1
3 Paradias (Dodds-Smith, Hodgson & Coupland) Alan King 7-9-07 Rossa Ryan 10/1
14 ran 7/4F Regal Ulixes (4th)
Lucy Wadham – 1st Finals Day winner
Sean D Bowen – 1st Finals Day winner
