Eoin Doyle opened his account for the August Festival meeting by saddling Dusty Trail to justify strong support in the Bet Online at www.thetote.com Claiming Race.

The veteran gelding was all the rage this morning when backed from 9/2 down to 3/1, and was sent off the 5/2 favourite in this mile and a half event.

Danny Grant produced the nine-year-old to head front-running Auden off the home bend, and drew clear in the final furlong to beat Mighty Whitey (11/4) by two and a half lengths. Gumption (20/1) was another half-length back in third, with Auden weakening back to fourth.

Doyle said, “That was the ideal race for him, and it was the only race for him here really. He’s a grand old servant, and he likes it around here.”

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy