Fast Exit (right) and Lucky Pigeon do battle© Photo Healy Racing
Eoin Doyle can reflect on another recent successful Tramore festival and while his Fast Exit s appearance in the Willie Murphy Jewellers Downpatrick Handicap Hurdle at Downpatrick today may have been an after-thought, the gelding gained a second course win in the race.
Ridden by Mikey Butler, the son of Exit To Nowhere outbattled 7/4 favourite Lucky Pigeon from the last for a two and a half lengths win.
August and, in particular, the Tramore festival is traditionally one of Doyle's busiest periods and he successfully retained his Leading Trainer Award at the festival with three winners from 18 runners, with Fast Exit himself finishing fifth in his heat.
Doyle wasn't present for Fast Exit's win today, but his travelling head lad Michael Moran later reported “he's in the Sales at Doncaster next week and if he's not sold he could come back here or go to Tramore again.
“He's well handicapped over fences and hurdles and likes it up here and won a chase here in June - he got a great ride by Mickey.”
Quotes from Michael Graham
