Laelaps and Shane Foley © Photo Healy Racing
Laelaps (17/2) made all to take the NavanRacecourse.ie Maiden giving Shane Foley a 56/1 double after Inflection Point rsquo;s win in the preceding contest.
Jessica Harrington ’s Exceed And Excel colt, a half-brother to two winners also owned and bred by Newtown Anner Stud Farm, had been runner-up on his third, and most recent, start at Listowel.
He put his experience to good use to draw two and a quarter lengths and a neck clear of Emporio (10/3) and Xeres (7/2), with the 9/4 favourite National Ballet finishing in fifth place.
Winning rider Foley, just one behind title rival Colin Keane (75-74) after this success, commented: “He's not a bad horse. He's not simple at home as he's a bit hard on himself and a bit keen.
“We always knew he wanted a mile but he's just that bit hard on himself. He's getting better with racing and he handles that soft ground well.
“He was after doing plenty in front with me and I was trying to save as much as I could but when I did get stuck into him inside the furlong pole he stayed going well.
“He's a horse that should have no problem going a mile-and-a-quarter next year but he thinks he's a six furlong horse in his head!”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
