Fran Berry and Andy Oliver celebrate after Panama Hat's five-timer© Photo Healy Racing
Panama Hat completed an amazing five-timer this season when taking the valuable Irish Stallion Farms EBF ‘Red God’ Handicap at Dundalk.
The Andy Oliver-trained gelding was actually beaten off a mark of 60 at Leopardstown only two months ago but such has been the level of improvement he’s found since adopting more forceful tactics that this €50,000 event was captured off a rating of 96.
Fran Berry took over from regular partner Chris Hayes, who was stiff and sore following a fall at Tramore yesterday evening, and he was unable to get to the front early from an outside draw.
However the Medicean gelding was never far from the pace, and led over two furlongs out.
The 5/1 favourite stayed on strongly inside the final furlong to beat Hes Our Music by two and a half lengths, with Ned’s Indian in third.
Oliver said: "That was a fantastic performance, and he's a horse that has surpassed himself. Consolation to Chris who missed the ride, and he has done all the work in previous races.
“I had a couple of concerns of which the draw was one as he's a horse that likes a strong pace. Fran was a very able substitute and gave him a great ride. When he got to the front he did it well.
“There are a couple of big handicaps at Leopardstown on Champions weekend, although even with the three-year-old allowance he would still probably have top weight. You are stepping into a different class of race. I'll look at where he'll go in consultation with Team Valor.
“He wasn't the easiest horse at the start of the year. He was gelded and he likes his own routine and loves his day out. I was nervous enough coming here today."
(AM & MG)
