Red Trail gets verdict after battle with Not Just Any Eagle

There was carnage for punters betting on the photograph in the apprentice handicap as Not Just Any Eagle who traded at 1/5 to win the race, lost out by a nose to Red Trail

The two horses had the race to themselves entering the final furlong and it was Red Trail who held a narrow lead in the closing stages, but Not Just Any Eagle thrust home and their heads were locked together on the line.

Red Trail and Conor Stone-Walsh got the verdict on the inner at 10/1 from 7/1 shot Not Just Any Eagle and Robyn Donaghue-Leahy who couldn't have got any closer to her first victory. Mr Mills (10/3f) came in third, a length and a-quarter off this battle for first place.

Winning trainer Andrew McNamara said: “At the furlong pole I thought we had no chance, passing the line I thought we were up, but then when they showed the slow-mo, I didn't.

“She's a lovely filly. She won two last year and it looked like she'd come on for that but we went hurdling, and she ran very well one day but the last couple of runs were a bit below par.

“Coming today she looked great and seemed to be in great form, she seemed back to herself. What the difference was I'm not really sure.

“I thought we had a chance coming and told the owner we were in trouble if we didn't run well today, luckily she did.

“She's a good, tough mare, I'll have a chat with the owner now and see. Hopefully, there will be another day with her on the Flat and she'll go back hurdling at some stage.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson