Chestnut Fire, noseband, hits the front in Fairyhouse© Photo Healy Racing
Once Chestnut Fire got into the clear he readily saw off his rivals to take the concluding seven furlong maiden at Fairyhouse.
The success gave trainer Mick Halford and jockey Shane Foley a first and last race double on the card.
The three-year-old gelding was sixth on the rail but was switched out over a furlong out. He burst through and stayed on well to take the spoils by three parts of a length at 6/1. The Eyes Have It performed way above market expectations as he took second at 50/1 for Andrew Oliver and Connor King. Way Of Light (11/2) came in third for David Wachman and Wayne Lordan.
Mick Halford said: "His rating entitled him to be there. He's a game little fella. He's taking his racing well and getting better with racing.
"Dusty (Shane Foley) tells me he likes good ground so there is no reason he wouldn't go around Dundalk. He's lightly raced and very genuine."
This was Chestnut Fire's fifth run. He has been improving with each appearance as his form figures read 8654. On his last appearance he was fourth at Bellewstown on soft ground.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
