Blastofmagic (cheekpieces) just gets the better of Haqeeba© Photo Healy Racing
Blastofmagic just got the better of Haqeeba in the Follow Naas Racecourse On Twitter Apprentice Handicap.
Successful on his penultimate start at Dundalk, the Adrian Joyce trained four-year-old since finished seventh to Danz Gift at the all-weather venue.
Having opened at 20/1 on-course, the son of Hellvelyn eventually went off at 16s under Ross Coakley for the Dalton & Joyce Partnership.
Settled behind the leaders, he came with his challenge from the furlong pole and had a great battle with Haqeeba (10s to 7s on-course) from there, with just a short head separating them at the line.
Daniel Redmond was aboard the runner-up for Liam Lennon, while Ahundrednotout (25/1) was another length and a quarter back in third. Coto was sent off the 11/2 favourite (from 13/2 on-course), and he finished an unlucky fourth, staying on strongly in the closing stages after losing a considerable amount of ground at the start.
"My horses weren't right and I haven't had any runners in a long time," said Joyce.
"Even when he ran the last day he wasn't right. When he won the first day I thought he'd go and win a few races in a row but he obviously wasn't right.
"He was back to himself today so we'll tip away with him now. We have a few nice two-year-old's to run and we're back in shape again.
"He'll run again at Tipperary next Thursday. There is a five furlong in the same rating again.
"He loved the ground and Ross gave him a super ride. He just does enough but he did enough today."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
