Numidia and Hugh Horgan get up from Indiana Grey (centre) and Well Suited (far side)© Photo Healy Racing
Peter Lawlor's Numidia lunged late to get up at the line in the second division of the mile apprentice handicap at Dundalk. Indiana Grey grabbed a narrow lead inside the final furlong but was strongly pressed close up by both Well Suited and then Numidia.
It was the latter who swooped up the stand's rail, under Hugh Horgan, to land the spoils by a head.
The Estidhkaar gelding, a 13/2 shot, was making the breakthrough on his 17th career outing.
Lawlor said: "A great ride altogether that was! He just dropped him on the line there. He had him last in the leading pack. Even coming around the corner, he hadn't pressed the button on him.
"One mile one is his real trip. I have been running him over an extended one mile two and he has just been getting caught out. I decided to drop him down to a mile and see what happens.
"He hasn't run for over two months, he might even come on. I don't know what the handicapper is going to give him for that now.
"I'll look for something here in around a fortnight's time. He's after having a break and he'll be ready to go (on the turf). Any sign that he needs a rest, I let him out then. At the moment he is fresh and well.
"I've only the four in. I had Joupe entered in the first race today, but she is showing signs of being in season."
(Quotes by Michael Graham)
