There as drama at the finish of the Specsavers Ulster Derby as Celtic Dane edged out Northgate to land the €42,000 first prize. Fantoche had made a brave bid from the front but cried enough inside the final furlong as Chris Hayes produced Celtic Dane to lead.
He drifted left under pressure and was soon tackled by Northgate. The pair came close in the closing stages with Kevin Prendergast's charge just prevailing by a short-head.
Hayes was hopeful of holding the verdict as the stewards enquiry was announced:- "I think I'll be alright. He headed me but I came back at him and he had every chance of beating me."
The winner was jointly owned by Dublin publicans David Brennan and Gareth McCann, son and grandson respectively of Davy Brennan, who owned Kevin Prendergast's last winner - 1996 scorer I'm Supposin.
Prendergast, speaking by phone, was delighted to land his fourth Ulster Derby.
"Chris gave him a great ride. He got in trouble early and was nearly on the floor.
"It's great to win this grand old race again. I've won it three times before and the last winner, I'm Supposin, was owned by Davy Brennan.
"I've nothing in mind for him but he's won the McDonogh Handicap at Galway and we might go back there with him."
