Friary Road leads home his rivals under Josh Williamson© Photo Healy Racing
While the third choice of punters for the seven runner BetVictor INH Flat Race, Friary Road ultimately proved too good for the market principals.
Owned and bred by Helen Walsh and trained by her husband Ted, the son of Finsceal Fior was returned at 6/1 after winning on his second start at Listowel last month.
Settled behind the leaders by Josh Williamson and brought to the outer to challenge early in the straight, the bay victor was ridden over a furlong from home and swept to the front inside the final 200 yards, keeping on well from there to score by three lengths.
The Gordon Elliott-trained Whinney Hill (15/8) finished second on his racecourse debut under Harry Swan, while Ballinrobe winner Jerry From Kerry (4/5f) could only manage a disappointing third, a further three lengths back.
"He's a good rider and won't be claiming 7lb for too long. He's bred to be good and his father won (the Triumph Hurdle) on Commanche Court in '97. He wasn't even born then!" Walsh reflected.
"He's a grand, tough little horse. He's won two bumpers now and is better than maybe I thought he was. He picked up well there.
"There is a winners bumper in Navan and he could go there.
"He won't go jumping as he's a handy, light horse. He might make a nice Flat horse next year."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
