Fox boxes clever to get veteran Frank Oakes back among the winners

When research revealed the last winner trained by veteran Dunboyne trainer Frank Oakes was ridden by Joseph O'Brien, it gave some indication of how much time had passed between drinks. Five years was the answer.

One of the horses that had tried in vain to break that losing streak was Mountain Fox, a horse whose rating on the Flat had fallen to 53, but hurdles seemed to give him a new lease of life as he streaked away from the final flight under Ricky Doyle to spring a 25-1 surprise in the 2m maiden hurdle, beating the Gigginstown pair Extrapolate and Generalisation.

At the tender age of 77, Oakes still rides out two lots a day, and he explained how the decision was made to try this horse over hurdles.