Presenting Julio in the clear at Dundalk© Photo Healy Racing
Presenting Julio s two previous runs in Dundalk saw him finish third at 50/1 and 20/1 but tonight punters were more than aware of his chance as he disposed of his rivals at 5/2.
In this mile and a half maiden he tracked Rock On Bach into the straight before being unleashed by Fran Berry to tackle that rival.
Berry drove him into the lead with a quarter of a mile to race. He soon opened up and had the race by the scruff of the neck approaching the final furlong. He drew further clear to hit the line three and a half lengths to the good. Rock On Rosie the 11/8 favourite, had to make do with second. She finished a head in front of Don Vincenzo (8/1).
Handler Denis Cullen said: "I'm delighted. He was a bit disappointing over hurdles but loves this surface.
"He ran well here first time and then ran better in a better race second time. He did it well tonight and Fran gave him a great ride.
"We'll see what comes up for him next. He'll probably make a nice summer hurdler. He's gotten a lot of confidence from running up here.
"He's schooled over fences and jumps great.
"(Owner) Alan McEvoy is from Blessington and he gave me my first ever ride in a point-to-point."
Berry brought up his Dundalk double on Presenting Julio after winning race three on In Her Stride
This brought him level with Colin Keane on 21 winners in the race for the jockey's title at Dundalk in 2015.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
