Well Insured is pushed out to victory by Ray Dawson© Photo Healy Racing
Well Insured finally got off the mark on the thirty-seventh time of asking as he took division one of the Ladbrokes Home Of Football Handicap, scoring under Ray Dawson for trainer Derek Barry.
The ten-year-old son of Val Royal was placed on five of his last six visits to Dundalk, and he was sent off a 5/1 chance this evening.
Settled in mid-division, the brown victor travelled well into the straight, but soon came under pressure two furlongs out.
He got a perfect run through on the inside over a furlong out, and he soon hit the front, keeping on well in the closing stages to score comfortably by four lengths. California Rose finished back in second at 8/1 under Conor Hoban for Pat Martin, while House Limit was a head back in third at 10/1 under Kevin Manning for John Larkin.
Derek Barry, who was recording his first winner since Hu Ha Joe won a Downpatrick in June of 2012, joked afterwards: "We will enter him in the Derby now!"
He then added: "We were worried about coming up here a few years ago as he has the worst legs ever on a horse.
"He has had seven seconds and he loves soft ground, but he likes it here, and I hope he comes up and does it again.
"We will keep him going now and let him off for the summer."
STEWARDS ENQUIRY
The Stewards interviewed J.A. Heffernan, rider of Winslow Arizona concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that this horse hung violently in the straight. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found J.A. Heffernan in breach of Regulation 10 3 (g) by using his whip with the arm above shoulder height, and in view of the exceptional circumstances and having taken his record into account suspended him for two race days.
The Stewards furthermore found J.A. Heffernan in breach of Rule 213
(i) in that he failed to report something which may have affected the running of his horse and cautioned him regarding his future responsibilities in this regard.
J.A. Heffernan, rider of Winslow Arizona, trained by Anthony Mullins, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount hung violently in the straight.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
