Is That Love takes the gap between the grey Wee Pablo and Earls © Photo Healy Racing
The 3/1 favourite Is That Love landed the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Handicap under 7lb claimer Cian MacRedmond.
It was a sixth win in handicap company this year for the 4-year-old gelding whose first win was gained off a mark of 46 at Dundalk in March.
MacRedmond, who has been on board for all six victories, tracked the leaders on the inside and had to wait for racing room early in the straight. A gap opened between the front-running Wee Pablo and Earls entering the final furlong and the winner shot through it and quickened away to beat the latter by two and a half lengths.
The Es Que Love gelding was making his seventeenth appearance of the year and, similar to second race winner Sheila was ahead of the handicapper after being beaten fractions in third at Fairyhouse on Monday.
Winning trainer Ado McGuinness said: “I nearly have to thank (handicapper) Gary O'Gorman for this win as he put him up 4lb for being third the other day so I was forced to run him today.
“I saw the ground was a little dead but I knew he'd like it. Cian gave him a super ride, he's lost his 7lb claim now. It took him a while to get rid of it.
“He was very good on him, very patient, so fair play to him.
“He's in Barney Curley’s race next week (at Bellewstown) so he might rock up there too. I don't know what weight he'll have to carry there but he's entered in it. If he doesn't run there he'll get a break.
“That's his sixth win of the year so he's done well. Last year we were going to bin him so it just goes to show you what some of them do, he's just turned around.
“He's a good fun horse and has been great craic for the lads (owners Mark and Gary Devlin and Joseph McCrory).”
Quotes from Gary Carson
