Alghazaal and Chris Hayes (left) beat Wilderness © Photo Healy Racing
The concluding Hollywoodbets Handicap at Dundalk produced a thrilling finish with Alghazaal just prevailing to complete a terrific night for Kevin Prendergast and Chris Hayes as they landed a treble together for owner Hamdan Al Maktoum.
Alghazaal went to post a 13/2 shot for the mile-and-a-half contest and was the final leg of the treble which paid just over 370/1.
The race boiled down to the final furlong duel between Wilderness and Alghazaal with the later just getting the nod at the line by a short-head.
The winner had only beaten one home on his last visit to the course over the extended ten furlong trip last month, when he had met some traffic problems.
Hayes said:- “It’s been a great night.
“We fancied him the last day and I had a low draw in his first handicap. The boss said ride him behind the leaders because we got there too soon one day in a maiden.
“He hated being in behind. I was tight down the rails and he started lugging left on me in the straight from kick-back.
“The wide draw suited and I was able to get into a nice rhythm. I didn’t get much kick-back, and I thought a furlong and a half out I was going to win easy.
“In fairness the second ran me right to the line. You would hope he’s on the team for next year and we’ll geld him and put him away. He could be a nice horse in handicaps.”
Hayes and Prendergast had also teamed up to score with Mudlahhim and Alhaazm earlier on the card.
(Quotes by Alan Magee)
