Tokenomics and Luke McAteer (farside) beat Shamsuddin© Photo Healy Racing
Tokenomics edged a good tussle with Shamsuddin to land the spoils in the Dublin To Bahrain Handicap at Leopardstown.
Luke McAteer held his mount up in the five-runner affair before coming to challenge the front-runner a furlong-and-a-half from home.
The David Marnane-trained gelding took a narrow lead passing the furlong pole but had to battle late on to hold the renewed challenge of Shamsuddin by a head.
Tokenomics, who returned a 9/2 shot, was following up on his win at Dundalk 13 days ago.
“He's a real nice horse and he's obviously going the right way,” said Marnane.
“He's improved all the way through and he loves a bit of decent ground.
“There is a £100,00 handicap in York for him and that's probably where he'll go. I think the track will suit him.
“We had a discussion about whether this trip would suit him or not. I'd say a strong run mile would be perfect for him as he has the turn of foot.
“The race certainly wasn't run to suit him but good horses will do that.”
When asked if he could be a horse for Dubai in time he added:- “He could be but technically we're selling him at the end of the year so he'll be sale after York.
“He would suit that perfectly as well though. He's creeping up but would obviously have to go up a bit.”
