Joseph O'Brien and Eoin Doyle after the pair combined to score with Dusty Trail© Photo Healy Racing
Joseph O'Brien went back five in front of Pat Smullen in the race for the Champion Jockey crown for 2012 (83 – 78) as he partnered the Eoin Doyle trained Dusty Trail to victory in the Knockcroghery Handicap.
The 8yo son of Indian Danehill was sent off at 6/1 after performing well on his last few starts on the level.
As they entered the straight Dusty Trail was under pressure in sixth as Irish Reel continued to lead the field.
Joseph O’Brien pulled Dusty Trail out wide as they raced up the straight and he stayed on best on the better ground to hit the front with 150 yards to race, going on from there to score by half a length.
First reserve, Confident Cub for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning pushed the winner all the way to the line but he had to settle for second at 11/2 while long-time leader Irish Reel was a further three parts of a length back in third under Chris Hayes for Harry Rogers. To The Sky was sent off the 7/2 favourite for Joanna Morgan and Colin Keane but he never really looked like winning and finished a disappointing sixth.
Winning trainer Eoin Doyle said afterwards: "Joseph said he was hating the ground but he has come back to a reasonable handicap mark and that is his level.
"We will probably let him off now for the winter due to the ground and he doesn’t seem to act around Dundalk."
Dusty Trail has been a great servant to connections and he was recording his ninth career success this afternoon, his seventh under flat rules.
(On-course reporting by Alan Magee)
