First Dare (near side) gets up to foil Laser Focus© Photo Healy Racing
Sean Flanagan teamed up with his old ally Liz Doyle to land the two-mile maiden hurdle with First Dare (16/1).
The daughter of Beat Hollow, fifth in a couple of bumpers during the summer, moved into contention behind the leaders two out and went second before the last. She stayed on well to nail 5/2 favourite Laser Focus close home. A neck was the verdict with a further three and a half lengths back to Silver Gazette in third.
Doyle said: “It’s the first winner for the (Sooner Or Later) syndicate that is newly formed and includes Jack Barden who was involved in Penny’s Bill that won the Pierse Hurdle for me.
“She’s a little filly that I bred myself and has ability but just didn’t settle great in bumpers. Sean switched her off beautifully today and for a first time outer she didn’t half jump well and he just rode her to come home.
“It was good to see her finish out a race having been pulling a bit in bumpers.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
