Foley celebrates return with a double
If Per Chance, trained by Foley’s Boss Michael Halford, scraped home in a blanket-finish to the ice-tube.com Horseware Ireland Handicap, when a length covered the first five. The seven-year-old pipped Akasaka by the minimum margin, a nose.
A delighted Halford declared: “Shane gave him a great ride. He’s a very strong rider and this is a nice boost after his time in Dubai. I think a bit of sun on his back did him a power of good.”
And, after Foley had partnered 16-race maiden Johnnys Legacy to victory for Jessica Harrington in the bookings@dundalkstadium.com Maiden, holding the persistent challenge of market rival Discovery Bay by a neck, Foley stated: “It’s good to be back. I enjoyed Dubai, but it was frustrating and very hard to get winners. This horse stays well and I’m sure he’ll go back hurdling when the ground dries up a bit.”
Jim Bolger registered his fifth win of the new year at the track when Miracle Cure, which had run in maidens at the Curragh, Leopardstown and Naas, justified strong support (7/2 to 2/1) on his Dundalk debut in the Dundalk maiden, slamming Roman General by more than four lengths.
Few Dundalk meetings pass without a winner for Eddie Lynam, leading trainer for the winter programme at the track, and apprentice Sam James got his Spin Of A Coin home in the Horseware Handicap, beating handicap debutant Prince Of Fire by three-quarters of a length.
Lynam quipped: “Ger Lyons and myself liked this fellow at the Sales. But it was me that had to wait two years for him to win. He’s done it twice now.
“He got the trip and won well enough.”
Shock of the night came in the first division of the Winter Racing At Dundalk Handicap when 33/1 shot Houdini Bright, representing the jumps partnership of Dermot McLoughlin and Andrew Thornton, held the challenge of Chebona Bula by a head.
Denied with Chebona Bula, trainer Eoin Doyle enjoyed better luck when Indian Scout, ridden by Wayne Lordan, denied Saint By Day and treble-seeking Shane Foley in the second division.
