Serefeli (No. 7) and Pat Smullen beating Ruby Gates© Photo Healy Racing
Serefeli was confirmed the winner of the BK Forklifts Handicap at Dundalk following a stewards enquiry.
Peter Fahey ’s charge, available at 4/1 earlier in the day and sent off the 9/4 favourite, led well over a furlong out but edged left under pressure inside the final furlong.
Pat Smullen ’s mount kept on well in the closing stages to hold Ruby Gates by half a length, with Tropic Thunder another three quarters of a length away in third.
The Footstepsinthesand gelding won on debut at Gowran Park for Dermot Weld nearly two years ago but had failed to add to that tally in 12 subsequent outings.
Smullen said, “He hung a little bit but was holding the other horse all the way to the line.”
