Nibblers Charm wins big for Hackett at Listowel

The curtain came down on the summer festival racing season at Listowel's seven-day offering last week.

We had our share of surprises during the week but none more-so than the Ray Hackett trained Nibblers Charm who took the two mile and four bumper on Wednesday at odds of 40/1.

Having finished well adrift of the principals in a Kilbeggan maiden hurdle last month, the Court Cave gelding had very few takers in the betting market so it was just as well that he could not read the script.

Given a patient ride by 7lb claimer Eoin O'Brien (who incidentally has a good strike rate for Hackett) Nibblers Charm was settled off the pace. He began to improve his position on the run to the home straight before hitting the front inside the final furlong and defeating the heavily supported Willie Mullins trained joint favourite Eileen O by threeparts of a length.

Eileen O was involved in an incident with the other joint favourite Doctor Duffy before the furlong marker which resulted in the latter clipping heels and coming to grief giving rider Richie Deegan the father and mother of a fall.

However, take nothing away from the victory of Nibblers Charm who came wide and found plenty when it was needed. A €12,000 purchase as a three-year-old, he is out of the Zagreb mare Lady Farina and comes from a decent jumping family that includes the classy two mile chaser Egypt Mill Prince.

Ray Hackett revealed post race that his charge had been giving the right vibes at home. Stamina will not be a problem for him and has the size and scope to make into a useful novice hurdler.

 

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