Face Value under Ian Brennan (yellow) battles back to beat the grey Albert Bridge© Photo Healy Racing
The final race of the 2012 Flat season, the Leopardstown November Handicap, went to Adrian McGuinness trained Face Value who was given an excellent ride by Ian Brennan.
The versatile 4yo son of Tobougg was sent off at 12/1 for the two mile contest after winning his last two starts at Tramore and Navan.
He made the early running and went clear from halfway to three furlongs out before being headed two furlongs from home by the Ralph Beckett trained English raider Albert Bridge (4/1 favourite) under Jim Crowley.
Face Value then showed great heart to rally inside the final furlong and regain the lead close home and beat the favourite by a neck at the line.
Top weight Shu Lewis ran a cracker to finish second under Shane Gorey at 14/1 for trainer Monica Dowdall Blake while the 11yo Lough Ferrib finished a half a length back in fourth under Wayne Lordan for John Hassett at 7/1 (was 14/1 this morning).
Winning trainer Adrian McGuinness said afterwards: "After riding him the last couple of times Ian has really learned how to ride him. He had the race planned out to make it a real test of stamina.
"He gave him a breather after the bend and he didn’t mind if someone came to challenge him.
"His ride was brilliant and it was excellent the way he judged the pace. For a three pound claimer it was a top class ride.
"He is a tough hose who loves a battle and that is what he got today. It is not good for the heart!
"He might go to Haydock now in a few weeks' time for a good 4yo hurdle there.
"After that we have won three Premier Handicaps this season and over €200,000 in prize money. I thought we had an average bunch of horses at the beginning of the season but it is brilliant for a small yard like ours."
(Additional reporting by Gary Carson)
