Howyoulikethat and Ben Coen with singer Gavin James, groom Tadhg Rafferty and Martin Ferris © Photo Healy Racing
Hold up tactics paid off with Howyoulikethat as he swooped late to land the spoils in the 50-80 mile handicap at Leopardstown.
The Hilary McLoughlin-trained gelding had been easy to back this morning, touching 20/1 but was supported into 10/1 on course.
Ben Coen held his mount up in the early stages before coming with a strong run in the final furlong, getting up in the closing stages to beat Might And Mercy by two-and-a-quarter lengths.
The winner had weakened over slightly further at the Curragh last time and was recording his second win since joining McLoughlin having also scored at Dundalk in April.
Martin Ferris, assistant and partner of the trainer, said afterwards:-
“The horses are healthy, they are running well, we're having a good run and long may it continue. We're delighted.
“His work is good, he was being outpaced over a mile so we stepped him up to a mile-and-a-quarter. We maybe rode him a bit handy and he wasn't getting home.
“Billy Lee told us the last day that his wind wasn't 100 percent and we should maybe drop back to a mile, drop him in and ride him for luck.
“Billy wasn't available and I said to Ben today to take his time and not to make use of his draw. To ride him to finish fifth or sixth, any closer is a bonus, and come back and tell us something.
“Looking at the way he ran today you'd think he would get a mile-and-a-quarter but Ben said the key to him is a strongly run mile.
“I was afraid turning in he looked a bit off it and with his wind maybe a bit questionable plus his last two runs I thought with him getting a squeeze three furlongs out it was a long way home but he did it well.
“The owners aren't here so we'll speak to them and see what the handicapper does now. He's won in Dundalk and we'll mix it with him and see what happens.”
It was a third success for the trainer from her last eight runners.
