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- Sad ending to the fourth, as Shoes prevails
Donal Murphy
Sad ending to the fourth, as Shoes prevails
Crocodile Shoes and Donnacha O'Brien pictured on their way to victory
© Photo Healy Racing
There was an unfortunate conclusion to the Michael And Teresa Keogh Memorial Maiden, with Finian's Bay who was challenging in second, breaking down close home. Crocodile Shoes was the one who came out on top, scoring under Donnacha O'Brien for his father Aidan.
Fifth and fourth on his first two starts, the successful son of Galileo was expected to make it third time lucky this evening, going off the 5/4 favourite, having opened at 11/8 on-course.
Prominent throughout, he was ridden to lead from the two furlong pole, and he kept on well inside the final furlong, going on to score by four lengths.
Newcomer Karadeniza (8/1) came through to take second under Shane Foley for Mick Halford, while the injured Finian's Bay (9/4 to 7/4) managed to cross the line in third, a length and a half back under Kevin Manning for Jim Bolger.
Donnacha O'Brien said afterwards: "He's a big galloper. He'd prefer a mile and a half but he's genuine."
Sadly Finian's Bay was subsequently put down after breaking a hind leg.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee