Well-backed Dromod Lad wins for Harty and Gallagher

The Bluegrass Horse Feeds Handicap (Div I) saw the well-backed 10/3 favourite Dromod Lad (from 13/2 this morning) gain a first success on his thirteenth start.

The Helmet gelding tracked the leaders before improving to lead a furlong from home. Blankiedoodie looked a danger on his outside but Mark Gallagher’s mount stayed on well to score by a length and three quarters, with 25/1 chance Navorrosse keeping on into third place.

The winner had been runner-up in a handicap at Dundalk last winter, and had run reasonably well in three previous outings this season.

Winning trainer Eddie Harty observed: "It's nice to get. He had a few decent bits of form and we always thought he'd win something but didn't think we'd have to come this low with him.

“It showed he goes on the ground and we're getting into that time of year now. We'll keep going with him and see how far he can go.

“The handicapper can't be that hard on him as he's been knocking on the door for long enough, it wasn't out of turn.

“He's a very athletic horse, handles that ground and saw the mile out well so there is no reason he couldn't have a future over jumps as well. He's big enough for it.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson