Fleet Captain beat Eljowzah (left) and Chillie Billie (noseband) at Dundalk© Photo Healy Racing
The first winner at Dundalk, Princess Pearlita was walloped in the market. It was two nil to the punters after the opening division of the Dundalk Stadium – Light Up Your Night Handicap as 6/4 favourite Fleet Captain (from 2/1) obliged.
Top jockey of the winter series at the track, 7Ib claimer Robbie Downey sported the Morning Assembly silks of Clipper Logistics Group Ltd. on Jane Foley's top-weight and he gave the previous course scorer a lovely confident patient ride.
Delivered down the outer in the final quarter mile, Fleet Captain edged a little to his left but that was no problem whatsoever as he stayed on well to see off Eljowzah (8s into 11/2 and finished off well) with Chillie Billie (had every chance) back in third.
Mrs Foley stated: "I had plenty of confidence in the horse tonight. He won on this night last year so he likes it at this time of year.
"Robbie is a brilliant jockey – he's very, very good. He was on to take the weight off as the horse had ten eight.
"He likes to come down the outside and pass horses. He'll have a little break and he'll come back here. He likes to run fresh."
For his part Downey reflected: "It's going very well. She said to jump off – sit where he was happy and come wide up the straight.
"That's nine winners now and I'm delighted. I'm from Kilcock."
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that India Gitana trained by Daniel Miley was lame post race .
(MG & EM)
