Ken's Sam (cheek pieces) gets up in the closing stages to beat Haqeeba© Photo Healy Racing
Ken's Sam got up close in the finale at Dundalk, the Fundraise At Dundalk Stadium Handicap, completing a double on the card for Colin Keane, who was earlier successful on Laura Bullion
Trained by Adrian McGuinnes, the daughter of Intense Focus won at the venue in January, and was placed on four of her six starts since.
Backed from 6/1 to 5/1 on-course this evening, the Thomas Kelly owned six-year-old raced towards rear in the early stages before soon making headway into mid-division.
She had to weave her way around rivals from early in the straight, but once in the clear inside the final furlong she powered home to prevail by half a length. Haqeeba (10/1) was the one just denied, with Declan McDonogh aboard this Liam Lennon trained six-year-old. Cappadocia (7/1) kept on well to take third, a further half a length back, while the 5/2 favourite Bellick was fourth.
"She's had three stinking bad draws here and over six furlongs here the draw is crucial," said McGuinness.
"He was able to jump out, sit and wait and be patient. That's exactly what he did and she just loves coming at horses. She's a game filly.
"You can't do that when you're drawn 14, you'd want stones in hand.
"She was due another one. That's her second win here this season so we're been delighted.
"She's owned by Tom Kelly, who is a Vietnam War veteran. The horse is called after his son who passed from cancer so it's very emotional for him and he's delighted."
STEWARDS REPORT
A.M. Glynn, rider of Burren View Lady trained by Denis Gerard Hogan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount's saddle slipped sideways.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
