Slieve Binnian justifies strong market support

Backed as if defeat was out of the question, Slieve Binnian comfortably accounted for his eight rivals in the concluding Story Of Dundalk Stadium Book Buy Online Handicap.

Briefly available at 10/3, the Mick Halford and Tracey Collins-trained four-year-old eventually went off the clear favourite at 4/5 on what was his first try over a mile and a half.

Registering his fifth win and his fourth at the venue, the Awtaad grey raced mainly in second under Ronan Whelan, improving to lead with less than two furlongs to race.

Ridden from the furlong pole, the 85-rated victor soon stretched clear and came home two and a half lengths to the good in the colours of owner Paul Rooney.

The easy-to-back Pralognan (18/1 from 6s early) finished second under James Ryan for Tony Martin, while Encosta (8/1) was half a length away in third.

"He loves the surface and he's got a bit stronger so I wasn't really worried about the mile-and-a-half," Halford disclosed.

"It worked out lovely, he kept it simple. It's never easy viewing though when they are that short.

"I don't think there is anything else for him here now. He certainly has a preference for that surface or fast ground so that might be it for the year with him now.

"I'm delighted to get another winner for Paul, who is a great supporter. He got a great kick out of it and was on the phone."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson