Heaven sticks to the golden Highway

Andrew Slattery’s talents and tactical nous were advertised again in the finale, Division 2 of the @gowranpark.ie Handicap, as he scored on Highway To Heaven (20/1) for Tom McCourt, completing a 135.5/1 double on the card for the jockey.

Gradually crossing over from a wide draw to lead before the end of the back straight, Slattery was happy to stay on the far rail in the home straight as once again the runners fanned out across the width of the track, and the Pour Moi filly kept on strongly to gain a breakthrough win by five lengths.

Summer’s Dream (12/1), Don’t Quit (20/1) and Loudest Whisper (11/1) filled the placings behind the comfortable winner.

The winning trainer Tom McCourt said: “The ground was the big issue with her as she hasn't really got soft ground since she was a two-year-old.

“All last year she was running on dry ground. We thought there would be improvement in her on that ground and we were just hoping that she retained her ability on it.

“She's a well-bred filly so hopefully she can win another one.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson