A great shot of Tooreen Legend and Billy Lee (nearside) beating Sparanai and Rory Cleary© Photo Healy Racing
Tooreen Legend may have been coming off a 159 day break, and been humping ten stone over the mile and a half trip, but the market liked his chance in the Follow Us On Facebook Handicap (2/1 joint favourite from 11/4 on track). The chestnut son of Rakti got there just in time under Billy Lee to land the prize, following up his win in the equivalent in 2014.
Tooreen Legend chased the pace-setting Sparanai and got to her inside the last before eventually prevailing close home by a neck.
There was some scrimmaging and the other joint favourite, Moonmeister didn't escape unaffected but he ultimately disappointed beating only one home.
"They went a real good gallop. He made it here last year but they went slow then," commented Lee on the Tommy Stack-trained victor.
"Rory (Cleary on Sparanai) went a nice even gallop and I wanted a lead as long as I could. I knew Rory's filly wouldn't stop and my lad was just doing enough.
"He wants fast ground and loves it up here."
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Moonmeister, trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
(GC & EM)
