Coach Bombay (centre) just prevails from Rince Deireanach (nearest) and Society Ranger© Photo Healy Racing
Five time Dundalk winner Coach Bombay recorded his first success on turf, as he just prevailed in the last at Navan, the Come Racing September 8th Handicap.
Without a win since September of 2015, the Adrian Joyce trained ten-year-old was placed on his last three starts, keeping on well on all three occasions.
Upped in trip to a mile and two today, the son of Ad Valorem opened on-course at 16s, eventually going off a 14/1 chance under Shane Foley.
Settled in mid-division, he took closer order from early in the straight, and came with his challenge on the outer from the two furlong pole.
He was pushed along to lead inside the final furlong, and just done enough to hold off Rince Deireanach and Society Ranger by a short head and a nose.
The runner-up was returned a 7/2 joint-favourite under Kevin Manning for Jim Bolger, while Society Ranger was 12/1, backed from 16s on-course. Stormy Tale was the other joint-favourite, and she finished a disappointing tenth.
"He's a legend of a horse for me. I have him a good few years now and you grow attached to them," said Joyce.
"On his last four runs he's been unlucky and has been flying home. I'm delighted to get another win into him. He doesn't look like a ten-year-old, he's full of life still.
"We'll just pick another race, he loves the quick ground. He gets to a level and then he can't win off it, so we might get another win out of him and that will probably be it again then.
"He dropped his reins - Shane is good friends with me and is very good to me. He helps a lot with riding work and stuff. I'm just delighted to get another win."
STEWARDS REPORTS
D.P. McDonogh, rider of Rock On Rosie trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount didn't handle the ground.
The Stewards enquired into an incident in the closing stages of this race involving Misty Mountain (USA), ridden by K.J. Leonard, Rince Deireanach, ridden by K.J. Manning, and Paddytheirishman ridden by C.D. Hayes, where it appeared that Paddytheirishman ran short of room and checked. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that any interference was accidental in nature and therefore took no further action.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
