Ballerina justifies favouritism under Fogarty

Famous Ballerina justified favouritism in the Holycross Handicap Hurdle, as she scored under Mikey Fogarty for trainer John Berry.

The bay five-year-old daughter of Golan (second winner of the afternoon for that sire after Catimini won the fourth), finished second on her last two outings at Tramore and Clonmel respectively, and she was sent off the 5/2 favourite to get her head in front today.

Settled in mid-division, she took closer order after the fourth last, and she was pushed along in fifth as they entered the straight.

She responded well to pressure and came through between horses to lead approaching the final flight, keeping on well on the run-in to score by a length and a quarter. Caitlin Brook stayed on well to take second at 16/1 under Shane Shortall for Stephen Ryan, while Island Villa was a further length and a half back in third under Andrew McNamara for Denis Hogan at 20/1. Duty Dance for trainer/jockey Danny Howard completed the placings another length and a quarter back in fourth at 16/1.

The winner was purchased by Berry for just €800 as a yearling at Goffs in October of 2009.