Foreign Legion battles well for Coakley

The Crown Plaza Hotel Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Handicap (Div I) saw the always-prominent Foreign Legion (5/1) come home in front under Ross Coakley who was partnering the well-bred 5-year-old for the first time.

Unraced as a young horse with Aidan O’Brien, the Declaration Of War gelding was a four-time winner on all-weather tracks in Britain before returning to Ireland.

He was a winner at Listowel in September and this victory took his career record to 6 wins from 30 starts. Sunset Nova (5/1) and Silk Cravat (11/1) filled the placings, beaten half a length and the same, with the wayward 3/1 favourite Linus Larrabee back in fourth having veered right when briefly heading the eventual winner over a furlong out.

Winning trainer John Larkin, based in nearby Dunleer, said: “He might run again before Christmas. He's a good solid handicapper and we're very lucky to have him.

“He's a nice horse, a well-bred horse. Breen (White, owner) is lucky and Ross has been lucky for us before as well.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson