Glib Speech and Shane Crosse (inside) hold off the challenge of Nam© Photo Healy Racing
Patience paid off with Glib Speech as he recorded his first career success on his twenty-fourth start in the Racing Again September 19th Apprentice Handicap.
Twice a runner-up at Dundalk over the winter, the Rodger Sweeney trained son of Iffraaj failed to make an impact on his last four outings.
Available at 25/1 in early shows, he opened on-course at 20s, before going off at 16s under Shane Crosse.
Prominent throughout, the bay victor was pushed along and led from the two furlong pole, keeping on well inside the final furlong to hold off the challenge of Nam by a neck.
Dylan Hogan was aboard the runner-up (16s this morning and from 8s to 7s on-course) for Tom Mullins, while Nisior Donn (9/2) was another two and a half lengths back in third. Bouquet Garni (8/1) finished fourth, while the 7/2 favourite Pushaq was a disappointing twelfth.
"After a hard battle he did it tonight," said Sweeney.
"He's always shown us bits but he's a horse that has been prone to injury and he's had two knee operations."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
