Foley setting a strong pace in jockeys' title race

Papa Bear (9/4 fav) found plenty under pressure up the final hill to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C&G) Maiden by a length and a half.

Racing in mid-division early, he wasn’t the last one off the bridle but the blinkered son of Kodiac responded well to Shane Foley’s urgings to repel several challengers over the final furlong and a half. Ecclesiastical took second a length and a half behind the winner.

Twice runner-up in five previous starts, including when touched off at Naas last month, Papa Bear was a 34th winner of the season for Foley, who has a healthy advantage at the top of the jockeys' standings at the moment.

Assistant to winning trainer Jessica Harrington, Kate Harrington said: “He finally got his head in front. He's a horse that always promised a lot and had a few very good runs last year.

“He just got sick on us last year and took ages to come back. His run in Fairyhouse, the first day, was too bad to be true.

“He had a good run the last day and got his head in front there today.

“He's in the sales next month but we'll have a chat with Patrick Cooper and see what he wants to do.

“Shane seems to think the blinkers helped him there.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson