Enchanted Garden defies market drift to score on handicap debut

Enchanted Garden just came out on top in a thrilling finish to the Gateway Hotel Dundalk Race & Stay Nursery.

The Tony Mullins-trained filly had shown some promise in three maiden outings but was friendless here on her handicap debut drifting out from 7/1 to 18/1.

She made headway in the straight to challenge the always prominent The Bear Trap inside the final furlong and just got up on the nod by a nose under Rory Cleary. Blue Soul also finished well just half-a-length back in third.

Cleary said, "It was a step forward. She had the three runs and improved with every run. That is her second time up here.

“I think she should improve again. She's a big filly - whatever she is doing now, she will be a lovely three-year-old.

"Tony liked her and has always liked her. He thought a lot of her. I rode her work last week for him and she felt great, so we were hoping for a big run today and she did it for us.

"She finished out her race good and strong, so hopefully she can improve again off that."

Quotes by Michael Graham