Foley opens account on the Flat

Jane Foley saddled her first winner on the Flat, and her second in total, when Fleet Captain (7/1) took division two of the Crowne Plaza Hotel Race & Stay Handicap in the hands of champion apprentice Ronan Whelan.

The former Kevin Ryan-trained gelding hit the front well over a furlong out, and kept on well under pressure to beat Pierre D’Or (3/1) by a length and three quarters. Spirit Of Grace (12/1), supported this morning from 33/1, was a half-length further back in third.

The Leighlinbridge handler opened her training account in a bumper at Limerick during the summer but has been frustrated in the search for good ground with the four-year-old.

Ms Foley said, “He did it well and I knew coming here that he was in the best form he’s ever been for me.

“He was off for well over a year as we couldn’t get good ground, and eventually decided to come here. He came on in leaps and bounds for his run here earlier this month.”