Captain Joy and Pat Smullen finish ahead of Geological © Photo Healy Racing
The Ladbrokes Fast-Track Qualifier Race only had a field of four but it provided us with an exciting spectacle. Little over two lengths split them and it was 4/5 favourite Captain Joy (first start since June) that came out on top to provide Pat Smullen with a Dundalk double.
Smullen earlier got Ancient Sands home for John Kiely and here riding Captain Joy for Tracey Collins he chased outsider Geological in second.
The successful grey led narrowly from over a furlong out and he went on to pretty comfortably outpoint his aforementioned opponent by half a length.
Tracey Collins certainly had a story to share in the aftermath, revealing: "He was a very sick animal and this is very sentimental as he's one of the last horses that the late Ned Gowing looked after for us. He had colic surgery and it's been a great achievement by the team at Anglesey Lodge and my own staff to get here.
"He will improve a lot and Pat looked after him. I will train him now for the All-Weather Championships and he'll go straight there.
"I've never been as apprehensive coming to the races. I was sick with worry as he's a real family pet."
D.W. O'Connor, rider of Geological trained by Damian Joseph English, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung right in the straight.
(AM & EM)
