Oliver's patience pays off

Andy Oliver's patience with Eloge paid off as the Elnadim three-year-old shed her maiden tag on outing number nine in the Dundalk Stadium On Facebook Apprentice Handicap.

Tom Madden was aboard the bottom-weight for the first-time and he brought her through from the rear to lead inside the final furlong.

The 13/2 chance (from 9s on track and bigger this morning) then held off the rush of outsider Comedy Club by half a length.

Fancied horses such as Brog Deas Nua Gun Shoot and Anner Queen faded out of it to fill the last three placings.

"She was on the go earlier in the season and I felt she had missed her opportunity to win," said Oliver.

"She went to the July Sales and I bought her back and gave her a break.

"She ran well the last day and we decided to step her up in trip. She just got into this race and Tom gave her a great ride.

"He just crept her into it and he produced her well at the right time."

The Stewards enquired into an incident in the closing stages involving Gun Shoot, ridden by C.T. Keane, Victor's Beach ridden by S.B. Kelly, Brog Deas Nua (USA), ridden by C.P. Hoban, and Calle Aneto ridden by R.P. Whelan, where it appeared Gun Shoot and Brog Deas Nua (USA) suffered interference.

Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion any interference was accidental and they took no further action.

(AM & EM)