Swallow takes flight in maiden

For many, it was a case of the best wine being reserved until last at yesterday’s well-attended Lisgoold point-to-point fixture that was staged at Templenacarriga for Follow The Swallow readily put his rivals to the sword in the closing 18-runner seven-year-old and upwards maiden.

Despite pulling up on his two previous career starts, Follow The Swallow (12/1) always travelled with purpose for Pat Collins on the inner and the winning bay went for his race from three out. He stylishly asserted on the incline from two out and he eventually returned with three lengths to spare over Royal Haslar with an eight-length break to the third-placed The Black Dog.

“This horse worked very well during the week and he will go for a winners race now, provided that he’s not sold,” said Follow The Swallow’s Kilmeadon-based owner/trainer Denis Hayes, who bought the victorious son of Dr Massini at the 2012 Fairyhouse August sale .