Foley excels to delight Dr Swanick

Those that backed Victor's Beach from as big as 8s this morning into a returned 4/1, could well be toasting Shane Foley this evening, as the County Kilkenny pilot gave the Footstepsinthesand colt an excellent ride to land the Christmas Party Packages Nursery Handicap at Dundalk.

Foley legitimately denied Ben Curtis racing room on the sweet-travelling Longfield Lad from the quarter mile pole.

The Graiguenamanagh man was soon making the best of his way home on Victor's Beach and he held off the staying on well Toccata Blue by half a length. Zainda dead-heated with him for second.

Mick Halford trains the winner for Dr Keith Swanick and he said: "The step-up in trip helped and he is tough and genuine.

"It's great to have Shane back from his holidays (from a three day careless riding ban picked up at Leopardstown).

"The owner is from Belmullet and it's his first time involved in ownership – himself and his wife Aisling."

Shane Foley picked up a one day ban for using his whip in the fore-hand position.(AM & EM)