Shane Foley had to display all the patience he could muster before grabbing the feature [email protected] Handicap at Dundalk on top-weight Banna Boirche
Michael Halford's 4-1 co-favourite was nearly last coming into the straight and was blocked in when Foley wanted to mount his challenge, but he was finally able to nudge through a narrow gap and scored by three-quarters of a length.
The trainer said: "That was a very good ride from a bad draw. He is a smashing horse and he just loves it around here. He is on the waiting list for Dubai and hopefully he'll get an invite now."
Foley went on to a double when bringing Harry Rogers' 25-1 shot Solo Performer with a smooth run from the rear to take the Crowne Plaza Championship Handicap by a neck.
Tommy Stack looks to have a promising juvenile on his hands in Mutahadee who sprung a surprise when landing the one-mile Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden in good style.
Wayne Lordan had him on the heels of the leaders turning into the straight and after hitting the front a furlong and a half out, the 20-1 shot was driven clear to win by two lengths.
Lordan said: "He's massive, but he's always gone well at home. He jumped out and travelled well and he picked up to win the way he had been working. He'll be a nice horse for next year."
The six-furlong event with the same name went to the Ger Lyons-trained Future Generation (10-1), who battled back in gutsy style for Keagan Latham to win by a head after being headed by Flic Flac in the final furlong.
Billy Lee produced Eddie Lynam's Westtower Boy (8-1) late on in the Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Package Maiden to beat favourite Louisville Lip ending Joseph O'Brien's hopes of reducing the gap in the apprentices' title race.
