Halford's Games a big hit at Dundalk

Tailteann Games stepped forward significantly for his debut eighth placing at Naas on April 27th, to land the Dundalk Stadium Maiden at odds of 10/1 for Michael Halford and Shane Foley.

Foley, sporting the silks of Halford's wife Louise, brought Tailteann Games through with a strong late run to defeat the favourite, Ardhoomey (had looked sure to score) by a length and three parts. Black Wolf Run ran well on debut for third, three parts of a length back.

"Thank God for Dundalk! I'm waiting on ground for a lot of horses. The ground was a bit slow in Naas and I think he just didn't stay," said Halford.

"He's a big raw horse and there should be plenty more improvement in him. Once he settled he did things right and he came home well. It wasn't a bad maiden and plenty of horses were fancied in it."

The Stewards interviewed S.B. Kelly, rider of Yulong Baoyu concerning the fact that he appeared to move across before reaching the marker poles. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered evidence from the rider, the Stewards found S.B. Kelly in breach of Rule 211 by failing to ride in a straight line from his draw position until reaching the marker poles and having taken his record into account, the Stewards cautioned him as to his future riding in this regard.

(MG & EM)