Tom Dooley is ridden out by Sean Davis© Photo Healy Racing
Tom Dooley made all in the ICON Apprentice Handicap, scoring under Sean Davis for Richard O'Brien.
O'Brien has made an excellent start to his training career, and he was recording his seventh success here, just a couple of a months after registering his first win with Alans Pride on January 27th. .
Tom Dooley, who is a six-year-old son of Dylan Thomas, had his first run for O'Brien last month, winning on his most recent start at Roscommon on July 10th.
He was sent off at 5/1 to follow-up this evening, and he went straight to the front under Davis.
The Ballingarry Partnership owned gelding was pushed along a furlong and a half from home, and he kept on well from there, going on to score by a length and a half.
The 11/4 favourite Korbous had to settle for second under Oisin Orr for Dick Brabazon, while Victorious Secret (10/1) was another three parts of a length back in third for Killian Hennessy and Fozzy Stack.
"That's great. He seemed to be in great order after Roscommon and we were looking forward to today," said O'Brien.
"Sean has given him a peach of a ride. He jumped and felt that they were going no gallop so he said he'd do that and he was spot on.
"He was nice and prominent in Roscommon and we felt the fast pace there really helped him. We both agreed that if he wasn't going to get a good gallop there was no reason he wouldn't make it himself.
"He has a thing hanging over him that he's not the most honest of horses but he looked honest there and he's loving it.
"There is a race in Down Royal next Friday over seven and that's an option. Now he's starting to get up to the stage where Galway will be an option as well.
"I'd love to see him on really quick ground as I think there might be a little bit more to come.
"I have four in training at the moment and the four of them have won. That's the third lad that's after winning for a second time.
"The owner Michael Kearney is home from Dubai. He rang me in May and sent the horse to me and I'm very grateful."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
