Doyle opens 'track' account with Foritsa

Foritsa stuck on gamely in the closing stages to land the Enniscorthy Handicap Chase at Wexford.

The former point-to-pointer came into the race off the back off two decent placed efforts and was given a positive ride by Ben Dalton in the 2m6f event.

Gordon Doyle's charge was prominent throughout and led into the straight as long-time leader Kilmurry Kid came under pressure. Dog Barrel Hill was a big threat going to the last but couldn't match the eventual winner, who asserted on the run-in for a three-length victory.

The winner was returned a solid 8/1 shot. Alright Benny was the horse for money, backed from 8/1 into 9/2 favourite, but could only manage to finish sixth.

It was a first success 'on the track' for New Ross-based trainer Gordon Doyle.

The owner, Harry Williams, is also from New Ross and is a close neighbour of the winning pilot.

Doyle, who has had a few winners in point-to-points, rushed off to saddle his runner in the hunters chase, The Admiral Benbow

Speaking the next day Doyle said: "He is my first winner under rules, we have had nine point-to-point winners over the last the last couple of years, so it was nice to get a winner under rules.

"I took out my licence five years ago after my father died (Gordon senior), and we’ve only been using it around three or four years.

"We have nine riding out at the moment, between point-to-pointers and the few for the track.

"When we got Foritsa he was very light framed, and probably with time and a bit of TLC, he has improved and strengthened up, and for a nine-year-old it is kind of amazing.

"He is definitely improving, and we will try and pick up another one with him. He seems to run well with a little bit of time between races, three weeks or more.

"There is a race in Thurles just before Christmas that will probably be the aim for him, but he has a very low mark over hurdles and we could go back over hurdles with him.

"It’s great for Harry (owner), Foritsa was his first ever winner when he won his point-to-point. He is a great man to train for, he just leaves me at it."

(Additional reporting by Donal Murphy)