Fortune The Brave © Photo Healy Racing
Placed at Downpatrick last month, Fortune The Brave came forward from that debut to win the Paddy Dunican Memorial (Pro/Am) Flat Race.
Trained by John McConnell for Benny and Claire Wylie, the four-year-old was easy-to-back all day and went off at 16/1 as odds-on Artic Lane attracted plenty of support.
In a well strung-out field, the winner headed the toiling market leader over three furlongs out and made the best of his way home from there to hold Spotthedifference by two lengths.
Winning rider Finn Buckley, younger brother of fellow jockey Kieren, remarked: “That's my first winner on the track, I've had a few point-to-pointing.
“It means a lot to me, I've over the moon as I was quietly dying for a winner.
“We always thought he'd want a trip, he ran over a bit shorter the last day and he was staying going the whole way. He was off the bridle a long way out and I thought I'd try to make a bit of use of him today.
“He just grabbed it and he didn't stop so I didn't stop him. He was brilliant and I couldn't have asked for any more.
“John is my boss and I'm in with him four days a week. He's very good to me and has given me plenty of chances.
“We've hit the crossbar a few times recently and I'm delighted to get that one, it means a lot.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
