Art Of America wins in blanket finish

A length and a half separated the first six horses home in the Lengthen The Odds With BetVictor Handicap at Dundalk today as victory went to the Noel Meade trained last-gasp winner Art Of America under jockey Colin Keane.

The son of American Post was held up by Keane towards the rear for much of the race but the pair made good headway on the inner in the home straight. Inside the final furlong Art Of America powered home to poke his head in front at the line and beat Queen Amidala by a short-head.

There was a further nose back to third-place Royal Admiral with sixth-placed Pak Army being beaten just 1.47L.

Afterwards Meade reported “I didn't think he'd handle the surface because all along they have been telling me he doesn't want quick ground.

“He lost his way so much that he was doing nothing so I decided we'd try something different.

“I actually had him in the claimer but decided that I'd better not run him in it because if he does win it he'll get claimed because he'll have proved he handles the track.

“I said we'd run him in the handicap and if he doesn't win we can run him in a claimer again.

“He redeemed himself a bit now and will probably come back here.”

Quotes from Gary Carson