Tennesse Waltz in a thriller

On an evening with a number of exciting finishes at Dundalk, division two of the Shabra Charity Foundation Handicap capped the lot as you could cover the first four home with virtually a coat of paint as Tennesse Waltz just came out on top.

The David Marnane-trained gelding was opening his account at the 17th attempt and provided apprentice Killian Leonard with a welcome change of luck.

The six-year-old gelding was supported in the morning from 10/1 into 13/2, and attracted further interest on course to go off at just 9/2.

The son of Footstepsinthesand responded gamely under pressure to just prevail by a nose from Three Majors who was denied a clear run at a crucial stage. Rigid Rock was just a head away in third, with No Way Jack another short-head back in fourth.

Leonard said, “I needed that winner as things had gone a bit dry for a while. He ran well a few times for me before Christmas. He’d a good draw today over seven (furlongs) and I think that was the key to him. The blinkers also helped him.”