Sasta and Willie Byrne (near side) win from Ideal Pal (3) © Photo Healy Racing
Sasta sprang a 14/1 surprise in the Tote Ireland Handicap to give 7lb claimer Willie Byrne his second winner of the season.
First reserve Excuzio Joe (25/1) made a bold bid from the front but looked vulnerable passing the furlong marker as the winner and Ideal Pal were both gaining on him.
It was the Jim Bolger-trained Sasta, twice a winner last term but unplaced in five previous outings in 2021, who stayed on best to win by half a length from 5/1 joint favourite Ideal Pal with Excuzio Joe the same distance back in third.
Bolger also had the Kevin Manning-ridden Premium Ticket in the line-up but that 33/1 chance beat only one home.
Byrne said: “She was travelling easy for me and she loves that kind of ground, slow tacky ground — she thrives on it.
“I always knew I had the horse there and it was just a matter of time. She's a consistent sort and she did it well so you'd have to be happy with her.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
