Bopedro and Shane Foley (nearest) collar Fastnet Crown and Leigh Roche© Photo Healy Racing
Ridden along in mid-division two furlongs out in the Follow Us On Twitter Handicap, Bopedro (9/1) responded well to pressure to come through in the final furlong with a winning challenge.
He collared 20/1 chance Fastnet Crown in the final 50 yards for a half length success with handicap debutant El Padre (9/1) shaping well back in third.
A well-travelled 5-year-old gelding by the Henrythenavigator horse Pedro the Great, the winner won twice as a juvenile in France before winning a couple of times for Jim Bolger at three, including a course and distance victory. He had a spell in the UAE as well before joining present handler Jessica Harrington.
Winning rider Shane Foley remarked:”We had him at the end of last year and he had a good run at Leopardstown. He won well for Mr (Jim) Bolger here in the past so we were hoping the track would bring about some improvement in him.
"He is a bit of a boyo and is a good lead horse at home and has been leading (Phoenix Stakes winner) Lucky Vega for the last while."
Quotes from Thomas Weekes
