Dream return as Sean Flanagan lands Paddy Power six weeks after breaking back

Monday: Leopardstown

If there is one thing better than an underdog story it's that of a comeback and Sean Flanagan set the bar pretty high by winning the Paddy Power Chase School Boy Hours for his boss Noel Meade just six weeks after breaking his back.

It was at Meade's where Flanagan fractured his L1 vertebra while schooling and, along with the physical pain, there was the mental anguish of missing winners.

Flanagan revealed after his big win that only two weeks ago he had confided in his wife Lauren that he felt Christmas might come too soon. But his agonising hours on the physio table paid dividends as he galvanised the JP McManus-owned chaser to a hard-fought half-length success over Ben Dundee.

Flanagan's smile said everything after a comeback that would put Liverpool's epic night in Istanbul in the shade.

He said: "A couple of weeks ago I came home and told the wife I was going to struggle to be back for Christmas, but we kept working at it and I'm delighted to have made it. This makes all the effort worthwhile."

Flanagan, who had made a winning return aboard Watch House Cross the previous day, added: "We have a great team of people behind the scenes and they all contributed to me getting back in time for Christmas. They did tremendous work on me while I was out and but for them I wouldn't be back riding at this meeting.

"When you're riding for the people I'm riding for it makes life that little bit easier. He's a fine, big horse. He has everything – scope and pedigree – and it has just taken a while for things to settle into play with him. He's got his reward there."

School Boy Hours was winning for just the second time in his career in the prestigious €200,000 contest, and for Meade it was a third win in the race after triumphs with Coq Hardi Diamond in 2002 and Cross Appeal in 2011.

Meade said: "He has been an unlucky horse for a long time and it's great to win a big one with him. He's eight now and that's only his second win. It's hard to believe really."

He added: "I really fancied him. I said to Sean I thought he'd win if things went right. He was in super form. He worked really well at Navan last week. I know Chris [Jones, owner of Ben Dundee] said he thought he had it, but I thought coming to the last that we'd beat him anyway."

Read these next:

Envoi Allen gets the job done but fails to impress despite Chacun's absence

Rank outsider trades at 999-1 twice in running before incredible 125-1 success

FESTIVE OFFER: Racing Post Members' Club 50% off for three months!

'Tis the season to be jolly, and the perfect time to celebrate with a subscription to Racing Post Members' Club!

Featuring award-winning journalism, expert tips and renowned form study tools, this is the only racing subscription you need to stay ahead of the field.

Throughout the festive season you can get 50% off your first THREE months of Members' Club Ultimate. That's just £17.48 per month* to unlock all premium features.

Head to the offer page here to find out more!

*T&Cs apply