Foley bags double with Hasanour

Hasanour picked off Breathe Easy in the Paddy Power Handicap over a mile at the Curragh to the cheers of favourite backers.

The five-year-old gelding raced in mid-division as Breathe Easy set the pace. The leader had them all off the bridle at the two as he made his way home.

However, Shane Foley and Hasanour made headway into third a furlong and a half out. Under a drive, Hasanour ranged alongside Breathe Easy deep inside the final furlong and went past him for a snug victory by half a length.

He was supported at 4/1 before racing and went off the 5/2 favourite. Breathe Easy, who had been off track since October, put in a game performance from the front to finish second at 25/1.

There was a two and a quarter length gap back to Beau Satchel in third at 16/1.

Mick Halford said: "I'm thrilled with that. Shane said he travelled really well and when the gaps appeared he was able to take them. That's a good trip for him and he loves it here.

"He may go to Galway. Richard (McNally, owner) is a big Galway fan and he won there last year. The other option is a £150,000 handicap at Goodwood but I'd say he'll go to Galway.

"He didn't get into the Hunt Cup at Ascot but maybe it was a blessing in disguise as the ground was very fast. He's a very straightforward horse to train and winning like that gives them confidence. He could end up in Dubai some day."

This was Hasanour's third win over course and distance. He was following up on one in May that came on good to yielding ground.

This gave jockey Foley a Curragh double as he took the opener on board Final Frontier

Additional reporting by Alan Magee