Fahey & Hoban strike with Edification

Edification defied top-weight in the Keywest Performing Live After Racing Handicap, scoring under Conor Hoban for Mark Fahey and owner Michelle Deane Murray .

Successful at Dundalk in January, the son of Dream Ahead had been knocking on the door of late, finishing fifth and third on his last two starts.

Sent off at 10/1 this evening, the six-year-old bay was held up towards rear and had plenty to do on entering the straight.

Soon pushed along, he made steady progress and was switched to the outer to challenge over a furlong from home.

He powered to the front when ridden inside the final 200 yards, going on to score comfortably by two and a quarter lengths. Shamad (5/1) emerged from the pack to take second under Shane Foley for Peter Fahey, while Sharjah (9/1) and Waterlemon Bay (7/1) were third and fourth respectively. Phoenix Open was returned the 7/4 favourite and he finished a disappointing eighth.

"He was very good. He has to be ridden that way, patiently, and Conor was very good on him," said Fahey.

"Where we go next we don't know. Everything has to fall his way and it did today. When that happens he can be a good horse.

"We'll see what the handicapper does now."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson