Philip Dempsey© Photo Healy Racing
After winning the fourth with Coeur Joyeux Philip Dempsey doubled-up with Routes Choice in the concluding Brenda Anderson Memorial Handicap Chase.
Having her first start since March, and her second in handicap company over fences, the six-year-old was sent off at 11/2 with Barry Browne in the saddle.
Settled in mid-division, the daughter of King's Theatre (third winner of the day for the sire) was third with a circuit to race.
She took closer order before the last (usual two out), but blundered at that fence and lost ground in the process. She was soon ridden in pursuit of the leader Dorkas and reeled-in that rival a furlong from home, keeping on well from there to score by six and a half lengths.
The aforementioned Dorkas was returned the 5/2 favourite, and she had to settle for second under Brian O'Connell for Jimmy Finn. Flatfoot Boogie was sent off a well-backed 7/2 chance (20s last night and from 11/2 on-course), but he could only manage a disappointing fourth.
Dempsey, who trains the winner for Louise Austin, said afterwards: "She was good to come back from that mistake and he did well to stay on. We put up Barry because she had so much weight.
“She had been working well and we were hopeful. She won a mares’ maiden hurdle on heavy ground in Limerick last year and the handicapper never really forgot her for it.”
STEWARDS REPORT
Owing to the ground conditions, the Stewards granted permission for fence 3 to be omitted from all races today. Fence 1 was also omitted for the seventh race because of the unfit ground conditions in that area.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
