Sanity denies Smullen/Weld four-timer

Edge Of Sanity landed the Fitzpatrick Gallagher McEvoy Handicap on his seasonal reappearance, denying Pat Smullen and Dermot Weld a four-timer in the process.

The Jim Bolger trained five-year-old son of Invincible Spirit won got off the mark on the eighth time of asking in a maiden Dundalk in October, and he was sent off an easy to back 16/1 chance to follow up this afternoon.

Settled in mid-division, the bay entire took closer order approaching the straight, and he was driven along on the outside to challenge two furlongs out.

He responded well for pressure, and came through to lead well inside the final furlong, going on to score by half a length at the line. Manhattan Swing who hit the front a furlong out, had to settle for second at 5/1 under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld, while Chicago was a further three lengths back in third under Ronan Whelan for Pat Shanahan at 9/1. Tri Na Ceile who was 14/1 last night and opened at 4/1 on-course, went off the well-backed 5/2 favourite, but she could only manage a disappointing fifth under Fran Berry for Jessica Harrington.

Jim Bolger said afterwards: "He's versatile trip wise. The dam is by Galileo so a mile and a half was no problem. He'll go for something similar."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee