CONNA, Fermoy trainer Jimmy Mangan, continues to win high profile races, and the Grand National winning trainer, produced another spectacular training performance, on Thursday last, at Gowran Park Kilkenny, where he sent out the heavily supported Whinstone Boy, 14/1 to 5/1, to win the prestigious Thyestes Chase, by 1 3/4 lengths, in a thrilling finish with Hangover.

Given a splendid drive by Sean Flanagan, who had his mount on the pace throughout, the well handicapped lightweight, went for glory, after the second last, and stayed on in game style, to land a spectacular gamble, 14/1 freely available in the morning, and 8/1 on track.

Mangan who won the Aintree Grand National in 2003, with Montys Pass, stood in the driving wind and rain, as his winner was led in, and exclaimed: "This win means an awful lot to me, since it is our biggest win, since Monty's Pass won the national, but more than that, it is 29 years since Junes Friend, owned and trained by my late father Paddy, won this race. I led her up that day, and the late Jackie Cullen rode her, and to come back here and win this famous race was something I always wanted to do. This is a very special win."

He continued: "Three of the owners of Monty's Pass are involved with this horse, Adam Armstrong, Muir Higginson and Noel Murphy, and, of course, they will now look forward to Aintree. Their winner is now nine years of age and has had problems with weak tendons, so their is no point in waiting another year. He will be entered for the Grand National and the Topham Trophy as well.

"I told my jockey to make plenty use of him, because of his light weight, as he stays well and likes that testing ground. We fancied him a lot as he had beaten Powerstation at level weights over hurdles at Thurles in November, which on that form gave him a hugh chance."

For 21-year old winning rider Sean Flanagan, it was the biggest win he has had over fences, having won the Pierse Hurdle last year with Penny's Bill, and the big 25th Ballymore Anniversary handicap hurdle at Punchestown, in 2008, with Brave Right. "He was a bit keen early on, so I let him stride on before he settled," he said.

The famous Purple and gold colours of Jimmy Mangan, will now be carried to Aintree with confidence on an all time high. The Mangan family name was further in the news at limerick races on Sunday last where 19-year old recently turned professional jockey Pat Mangan, son of trainer Jimmy, produced a splendid display of excellent jockeyship on Lous Coole girl which won the 2ml 3f mares maiden hurdle, for the third win of his professional career. Eddie O'Grady trains the three-length winner at Ballynounty, Thurles, Co Tipperary.

- Pat Griffin