Ballycroy shows her progression Via Dundalk

Like Spirituality half-an-hour earlier, Via Ballycroy had no problem taking the step from maiden winner, into handicap company, in her stride, landing the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Fillies) Handicap at Dundalk.

The daughter of Lawman got the job done in real good fashion too under Shane Foley.

She may have been easy-to-back (from as low as 7/2 this morning out to 6s) but that mattered little as Via Ballycroy assumed command from under a furlong out, going on to comfortably eclipse the gambled-on Brown Butterfly (12s this morning into 9/2) by two lengths. Precious Dream came home well for third, half a length adrift, whilst another market-fancy, Imaginationrunwild (6s this morning into 7/2) had to settle for fourth.

Michael Halford trains Via Ballycroy (equipped with cheek-pieces the last twice) and he explained: "She took a while to get her head in front. She always showed plenty and she just started to come to herself.

"We were a bit concerned about the seven as she showed plenty of pace the last day (over six furlongs) but she switched off.

"She could be progressive and we'll keep going and we'll see where we end up. She likes the surface."

Thomas Weekes successfully took over the baton from Alan Magee on the formscans on this website. Via Ballycroy was the third winner from five races tonight to go with the narrow runner-up, Captain Joy and the fourth placed True Verdict (GC & EM)