MOBSTA gave Mick Channon a big-race winner on FA Cup final day – 40 years after the West Ilsley trainer helped Southampton lift the famous trophy with a shock 1-0 win over Manchester United.

Appreciating the rain-softened ground, the 14-1 shot stuck on gamely under Pat Smullen to pip Flight Risk by a head in the Group 2 Weatherbys Ireland Greenland Stakes at the Curragh.

Channon, who was involved in the move which led to Bobby Stokes slotting home Saints’ winner at Wembley in 1976, was at Goodwood.

But his youngest son, Jack, made the trip across the Irish Sea and he said: “As dad always reminds us, he won the FA Cup with Southampton. It’s 40 years ago, so it seems to have brought us a bit of luck.”

Mobsta had opened the season by winning the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster, before disappointing in the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket.

And Jack added: “We probably ran him back a bit quick the last day, so we freshened him up and the heavens opened which suited him. It’s worked out perfect.”

Channon also continued his fruitful association with Silvestre de Sousa with the champion jockey triumphing on Jule In The Crown at Windsor and Rockliffe at Bath.

Whatcombe trainer Paul Cole landed a notable 162-1 across-the-card cross-Channel treble with Honiara (11-10) at Chantilly, Azilian (11-2) at Wolverhampton and Tioga Pass (11-1) at Goodwood.

Christophe Soumillon was on board as Honiara claimed a mile maiden stakes at the French track, while Martin Harley steered Azilian to a four-length success in a handicap in the West Midlands, before Luke Morris powered Tioga Pass home by a neck in a handicap at the Sussex venue.

Nottingham proved a happy hunting ground for East Ilsley trainer Hughie Morrison with Atalan landing a mile and six-furlong handicap under Jim Crowley on Sunday after Sweet Selection and Pirouette had given him an 18-1 double at the track earlier in the week. Morrison also struck at Redcar with Catalan, who got off the mark in a mile maiden stakes under Robert Winston.

Saumur, from Denis Coakley’s West Ilsley stables, was another to register his first success when claiming a Lingfield handicap by a head in the hands of Tom Queally.