Surrounding scores a big win for the Newells

The featured Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cooley Fillies Stakes at Dundalk saw Surrounding gain a well-deserved success at this level for owner/breeders the Newells, and trainer Michael Halford.

Shane Foley was aboard the daughter of Lilbourne Lad and he was gaining a third win on the five-year-old.

Surrounding chased the leaders, and she was third at the halfway stage.

Pushed along under two furlongs out, the victor was ridden in second a furlong out, making headway to lead inside the final furlong, staying on well to beat Could It Be Love by half a length.

"She loves it around here and comes into her own at this time of year," said Halford.

"It was a good performance, everything went well, they went a nice even gallop. Shane knows her well, she's very game and picked up and galloped out strong.

"That's brilliant and it's terrific for the Newells who are great supporters of ours. They keep them in training and good and bad days they take them the same. They're wonderful people and they thoroughly deserve it.

"We'll keep going with her and see where we go from here. We'll enjoy tonight anyway."

Foley added:- "She's a very genuine filly and she had a bit of black-type up here last year.

"The boss's horses always improve when they come here. He was pretty sweet on her. I had a lovely run around and she toughed it out well.

"Could It Be Love always travels well and doesn't find as much off the bridle as anticipated. I was just hoping two-and-a-half down that she might curl a bit in the last furlong as I knew mine would stay going and duly she did.

"My one is very very genuine and you could see that when you give her a thump or two she really sticks her head out." Dramatise (16/1) and Most Gifted (7/1) were withdrawn and there was a 10 Cent Rule 4 to all bets. Drawn beside each other, the pair became upset in the gates.

The Stewards informed Joseph Patrick O'Brien, trainer, that Dramatise would have to be recertified before being declared to run from stalls again.

The Stewards informed A.P.O'Brien, trainer, that Most Gifted (USA) would have to be recertified before being declared to run from stalls again.

(GC & EM)