Foley earns praise for Shannon Soul ride

Shannon Soul completely blew the start of Limerick's mile handicap but did plenty of good work at the business end to bring up his hat-trick.

He gave the leader a good 10 lengths start when missing the break and still sat 14th of the 16 runners approaching the three marker.

Shane Foley got into the drive position entering the straight and Shannon Soul was ridden outside the final furlong with plenty to do.

However, he picked up really well and flew home down the outside to land his head on the line at just the right time.

The 10/1 shot grabbed the victory by a neck from Elusive Approach (6/1). Balcony was a head away in third at 5/1 with 20/1 shot Saga Altais taking fourth.

Shane Foley said: "He doesn't help himself at the stalls for whatever reason. It was his first run back on grass and I even gave him an extra canter down to the start to try and warm him into it but that's just him. It makes it a bit more difficult especially on these tracks it's a bit harder but he's done well to run them down to be honest.

"In fairness I had a willing partner. We've always loved him and he's only doing now what he should have been doing two years ago. There could be a good handicap in him during the season."

Michael Halford said: "That seems to be his thing now - he just seems to be slow to jump out but he's not slow about coming back and that's the important thing! It's his own plan but he warms up well.

"He's tough and genuine and Shane is riding terrific - if he gives one a better ride than that through the year, it'll be a good one. My horses are in good form and are nice and forward."

This gave Halford and Foley a double on the card following the success of Surrounding in the previous race.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes