Keith and Albert Moriarty with Cape Explorer© Photo Healy Racing
Father and son Albert and Keith Moriarty teamed up to provide a 20/1 shock with Cape Explorer in the finale at Dundalk.
This was the trainer's first success following on from Natalia Lupini saddling her first winner in the preceding race.
The seven-year-old ran freely in the early stages and soon picked up the lead for jockey Keith Moriarty. He was pursued a couple of lengths away by Milford Lass who in turn was well clear of the pack.
The main group closed up on the back of Milford Lass sweeping into the home straight as Cape Explorer still travelled well at the head of affairs.
Cape Explorer soon came off the bridle though and looked to be in trouble as Moving On Up delivered his challenge with over a furlong to negotiate.
Moving On Up certainly did that as he headed Cape Explorer inside the final furlong, however, Cape Explorer rallied strongly on the inside and battled back in the latter stages to win by half a length.
The winner didn't go unbacked having opened at 33/1 before being returned at 20/1.
“We thought that he'd run well and I was hoping he'd be placed. We didn't know how fit he was as he had a good break,” Albert Moriarty said.
“That wasn't the plan. We meant to sit in behind the leaders and I was just hoping he'd stay on.
“That's my first winner and I've had the licence for a year. I train in Glenbeigh in Co Kerry and we do a lot of work on the beach.”
Moving On Up was a springer in the early price market as he was hammered down from 12/1 to 9/2 during the day. He opened at 9/2 and was sent off at 4/1. Zorba The Greek took third at 25/1.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
