Royal Tribute (blinkers) beats Castletownshend (red cap) © Photo Healy Racing
The seven-furlong handicap saw Royal Tribute (12/1) record his first success and, in so doing, provide Seamie Heffernan with the second leg of an opening race double.
Formerly with Richard Hannon and now under the care of Denis Hogan, the Kingman gelding turned for home in sixth place and came with a good run down the outside of the field to lead inside the final hundred yards. He scored by a length and three quarters from the front-running Castletownshend with the running-on Inishmot Prince just a short head further away in third.
The 7/4 favourite Cleveleys was always on the back foot after a tardy start and was stopped in his tracks when staying on, with a place chance, in the final furlong.
Royal Tribute, placed a couple of times at Dundalk over the winter, came into this after finishing second in a claimer at Sligo last month.
“I would have been disappointed if I didn't win the first (on With Love and now I'm delighted that I've had a double,” said Heffernan.
“When things fall his way he quickens and the race couldn't have panned out any better.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
