Panther Soul beats World Stage into second© Photo Healy Racing
What a race the mile and a half maiden at Dundalk was for Andy Oliver as he saddled Panther Soul to win at 50/1 and the third, Financial Conduct at 25/1.
Remarkably, both horses were making their debuts. World Stage the 6/4 favourite, looked all over the winner as he moved into the lead a furlong and a half down.
However, Panther Soul was picking up for Conor Hoban on the far rail and came to tackle the favourite inside the final furlong.
The Famous Name gelding kept on best to land the spoils by a length and a half.
His stablemate, Financial Conduct, was a length and a half behind the runner-up in third.
Andy Oliver said: "They are two nice horses and both are in partnership with the same guy, JP Ledwidge.
“They are just horses we had to take time with, horses that need a trip. We didn't think that they were more than just ready so I'm actually delighted with that performance.
“There should be a lot of improvement. Conor was very impressed and said there is a heap of improvement, so time will tell. They pulled well clear and I'm very pleased.
“We'll have to see what the handicapper does but after beating an 85-rated horse he might even turn up in the Carlingford Stakes (October 13th) although that is a mile-and-two. I don't know and time will tell us.
“It's a pleasant surprise as I didn't think either of the two of them were ready enough.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
