Wonder Will He guaranteed a massive gamble came off in some style at Killarney yesterday when justifying 2 to 1 favouritism in the Waterford Crystal Handicap Hurdle.
Available at 12 to 1 in some shops in the morning, Wonder Will He opened at 7 to 1 on the course and the punters just waded in.
In the race itself, the Francis Flood-trained gelding gave his supporters the minimum of concern as he was always travelling well and took up the running at the second last.
Silver Hope and Back To Bavaria did their best to chase him but claimer Emmet Stack, 22 on Wednesday and celebrating his ninth winner, always had the matter well in control on the winner.
Wonder Will He is owned by the eight-member Striding Snail Syndicate from London and one of them exultantly let his feelings be known, declaring Flood "a man in a million".
The trainer himself said: "The lads love to come over here and have a bet so we'll see if there is a race for him in Galway. It'll be a holiday for the lads again." A holiday plan that, on yesterday's evidence, the bookmakers will not enjoy.
For much of the Kerry Water Handicap Hurdle, it looked like the layers were in for another hammering as the clear favourite Beacon Lane held a clear lead. Coming to the last, he still held the initiative, but a mistake allowed the closing Ten Four to grab it.
Galway is also on The Cushman's agenda after his overhauling of Star Defector in the Dawn Milk Handicap. Robbie Walsh galvanised another effort out of The Cushman to get back at his main danger with the remainder a full 13 and more lengths behind.
"Robbie is some pilot and he gave him some ride. If he is sound, The Cushman will go to Galway but he has had his problems," said permit holder Cliff Wilkinson.
Sea Leopard won his second race of the festival when getting home by a neck in the Killarney Court Handicap.
Sea Leopard looked to be galloping all over Challenger Two at the two-furlong pole but had to be rousted out by 17-year-old Wayne Lordan to hold Leixlip Belle.
Blinkers seemed to do the trick for Replenish Power in the 11-furlong maiden with Pat Smullen pushing her out to beat Notional.
