Subtle Ben and Kevin Sexton (near) win from Cappacurry Zak (far)© Photo Healy Racing
Kevin Sexton and Liz Doyle continued their recent good form when teaming up to take the 2m5f maiden hurdle at Tramore with Subtle Ben
The seven-year-old tracked 5/2 favourite Royal Vic before hitting the front four from home. Cappacurry Zak tried hard to throw down a challenge over the final two flights but Subtle Ben pulled clear on the run-in to record a four-and-a-half length success.
“I had his half-brother Corrigs and when this fella won a 6-y-o and up maiden point-to-point we said we'd try and buy him as there isn't much of a market for horses at that age,” revealed Doyle.
“He was staying on in a Leopardstown bumper but I only had him three weeks at that stage.
“Tramore wouldn't be his track but we just thought that if he got his own way in front he'd go close.
“He's a real chaser and will probably have one more run over hurdles before going chasing.”
Doyle has enjoyed a fine run of late and commented:- “I don't know what we're doing as we're doing the same as we were last year.”
The race lost two leading contenders at the top of the hill just after halfway as Vincent Row almost slipped up and brought down Shake It Up Vincent Row was soon pulled up.
(Additional reporting by Donal Murphy)
