Eighteen Summers, left, pips Red Rocks Point© Photo Healy Racing
The feature in Gowran Park was won by Eighteen Summers who prevailed in a head-bobbing finish with Red Rocks Point
Red Rocks point came into battle unbeaten after a maiden victory on Dundalk’s polytrack last September and a course and distance success in June. He went off at 15/8, however, the favourite was top-weight Chance To Dance who was seeking a hat-trick.
Eddie Lynam’s Eighteen Summers grabbed the lead after three furlongs and although he was narrowly headed at the two pole by Red Rocks Point, he challenged again with a furlong to race. He finally got his head back in front approaching the line and was all out to hold Red Rocks Point by a neck at 4/1. Chance To Dance was two lengths adrift of this battle in third.
“He is tough and genuine. It is a hard way to race but he seems to enjoy it. Today he didn't get as easy a lead as he usually does. I was able to get a breather into him at the top of the hill and he picked up and he kept picking up. He tries very hard and he loves that fast ground. Eddie's horses are in great form,” jockey Wayne Lordan said.
Chance To Dance beat Eighteen Summers in a mile and a half handicap at Cork on 15 June. There was half a length between the pair then, but Eighteen Summers had an 8lb pull in the weights this evening.
Additional reporting by Donal Murphy
