'That kind of makes up for the whole summer' - Pat Fahy breaks winner drought

Sunday: Naas

What a difference a day made for trainer Pat Fahy, who saved his biggest winner of the Flat season for the final card as Drop The Anchor caused a 16-1 upset in the Colm White Bookmaker November Handicap.

JP McManus's dual-purpose eight-year-old showed a tremendous attitude in a three-way finish to fend off the challenge of fellow useful hurdler My Mate Mozzie, sent off 5-1, and last year's runner-up Powerful Aggie, who returned at 12-1.

Niall McCullagh, who turns 54 in May, was at his very best to galvanise the winner, who became Fahy's second winner of the Flat season and his third under both codes in Ireland since January.

Fahy said: "It's great that he came back to himself as he was struggling to get his form back. He was running well but not getting anywhere, and a lot of my horses were doing the same.

Well done, mate: jockey Niall McCullagh gets a hug from Pat FahyCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"That kind of makes up for the whole summer because I had very few horses to run. Between one thing and another it was quiet and to get this last big handicap, I can't believe it. He toughed it out well.

"Niall gave him some ride because he often loses his races out of the gates. No matter what schooling you did it made no difference. He's in all summer, so we'll see what plans Frank [Berry, racing manager to JP McManus] has."

Sessa shines in Finale Stakes

Dermot Weld is plotting an international campaign in 2023 for his classy middle-distance performer Duke De Sessa, who landed the Listed Finale Stakes under Chris Hayes as 13-8 joint favourite.

A winner of the Group 3 Paddy Power Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend, the improving three-year-old atoned for a near miss when third in the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay on Arc weekend at Longchamp.

Sunchart gave the Newtown Anner Stud Farm homebred a scare late on when getting within a short head in second.

Duke De Sessa (beige and navy silks): an international campaign is being lined up next yearCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Weld said: "It was a very good performance from a three-year-old under top weight. He just started to idle in front.

“He's performed well all year, he was fifth in the Guineas and has been on the go since April. He's a tough horse. He was a bit unlucky not to win in France and deserved to go out with a big win again.

"He's done us proud during the year – he's a multiple Group winner – and we'll look to having a very major campaign with him next year. He'll be doing a bit of travelling."

Geerdharry off the mark

It was a memorable day in the fledgling career of 10lb claimer Yudish Geerdharry as he rode his first winner in the €40,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Birdcatcher Premier Nursery Handicap on Machine Wave.

Winning trainer Johnny Murtagh said: "He's a very good young lad. His dad runs a restaurant in Dublin and the family are from Mauritius. This is his second year with me.

"He had a very good draw and I said to him to be patient and wait for the gaps, and when they come don't go too soon. He rode to perfection."

Results, replays and analysis

Catch our in-depth review of the weekend's racing every Monday in the Racing Post. With big-race analysis from Classic-winning jockey George Baker, Chris Cook's take on the weekend action, eyecatchers from the Raceform team, weekly awards and much more, it is not to be missed.