Hassett's Filly finds Dundalk's Holy Grail!

The Butche's Filly thundered home down the centre of the track to put her head on the line and nail War Room in Dundalk's mile handicap.

With over five furlongs to race she was second last of the 14 runners and was given a squeeze by Killian Leonard approaching the home straight.

He switched her left, inside the two pole, so that she had daylight in the centre of the track. She soon started to motor a furlong and a half down.

At the furlong marker she had closed to fifth and came home strongly to mow down the four in front of her.

War Room (6/1) was beaten by a head with Easy Boy at 8/1 in third, half a length back.

“I feel like Indiana Jones after finding the Holy Grail! How many times have we been up here?” Martin Hassett said.

“This young lad (Killian Leonard) is dynamite. She was in the mile-and-a-quarter but he said we'll go for the mile. He's going places.

“We knew she'd win one and she'll be at the stallions next week. That's the reason we kept going and we're absolutely delighted.

“I know it was a low-grade handicap but she deserves her day in the sun.”

This was The Butche's Filly's first career success on her 16th visit to Dundalk. It was her 23rd race overall when factoring in runs on the turf.

The Stewards interviewed G.P. Brouder, rider of War Room, concerning the fact that he appeared to move across before reaching the marker poles. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion G.P. Brouder was in breach of Rule 211 (a) in that he failed to ride in a straight line from his draw until reaching the marker poles, and having taken his record into account, they fined him €100.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson