‘Carnage’ at Clonmel races leaves punters feeling ‘sick’ after witnessing 930-1 finish

10 months ago 62

THIS astonishing Clonmel race descended into total ‘carnage’ at the end – with punters left ‘sick’ after witnessing the 930-1 finish.

Mick Charlie will go down as the 10-1 winner under clever jockey Kevin Sexton.

But that tells next to nothing of a finish that left one perplexed viewer asking ‘what the hell has gone on here?’

Approaching the second last 5-1 Itwasfate and 11-4 fav Mount Frisco were miles clear of their nearest challengers in the 2m½f novice handicap chase.

But Gordon Elliott’s No1 jockey Jack Kennedy was rapidly making up lengths on the smooth-travelling Dundaniel.

Storming down the outside against the two leg-weary leaders, Dundaniel looked to have timed his run to perfection.

But he hit the last and lost all momentum, his travelling speed dropping by a whopping 15mph to a virtual crawl.

Mount Frisco and Itwasfate renewed their battle as Dundaniel completely gave way – with the closing pack keeping on behind.

Commentator Jerry Hannon said ‘they’re out on their feet’ as the horses jumped the last – but even he didn’t spot Sexton on Mick Charlie.

Incredibly, while it looked like Kennedy had timed his ride just right, it was actually Sexton who had the upper hand.

And despite his horse hitting a huge 930-1 on the Betfair Exchange, he picked up magnificently in the final half-furlong.

Sexton didn’t even have to give the 12-year-old a reminder to pick up as he past the post cosily.

Racing TV host Angus McNae described the incredible finish as sheer ‘carnage’.

He added: “The winner came from nowhere. It was a bizarre contest as it looked like those behind the front two had no chance.

“But they didn’t even make the frame in the end.

“There were some remarkable figures from the closing stages of the race, with Dundaniel losing 14.95mph of speed after that mistake.

“He slowed to absolutely nothing.”

While Gary O’Brien reporting from the track said: “What a crazy race.”

Trainer Declan Queally summed it all up well, telling Irish Racing: “I said to Kevin beforehand that the other horses were likely to go mad on the ground.

“I hadn’t him as ready as I had him going to Tramore (where he won on New Year’s Day) and I said to Kevin to ride him to run well, and he is a genius at doing that.

“He tip-toed around, never panicked, came home well and you could see that the leaders were starting to walk coming to the last.

“I thought the two miles would be too sharp for him, but he is a great horse who has now won five races and retains his enthusiasm as a 12-year-old.”