Toe The Line is driven out by Fran Berry© Photo Healy Racing
With the defection of Forgotten Rules (off feed) the Listed Loughbrown Stakes turned into a wide open affair and it was the John Kiely trained Toe The Line who came out on top under Fran Berry.
The five-year-old daughter of Shantou has transformed this season since winning a moderate maiden at Roscommon in May.
After that success she was second in two valuable handicaps over the course and at Killarney before getting her turn in another valuable contest at Leopardstown on Champions Weekend.
Having her first start in Listed company this afternoon she was sent off at just 7/2 having opened at 4/1 on-course (was 16/1 before Forgotten Rules came out). Drifting Mist set a strong early pace under Shane Foley and the winner was happy to sit towards rear.
The field closed right up before the straight as the bay victor travelled smoothly.
She was switched to the inner two furlongs out and she was ridden to the front at the furlong pole, keeping on well from there to hold off the late challenge of Altesse by a neck.
The runner-up was returned at 10/3 under Rory Cleary for Jim Bolger while Kalann was a further three lengths back in third under Leigh Roche for Sabrina Harty at 6/1. Eye Of The Storm was sent off the 5/2 favourite and he finished back in fifth for Aidan and Joseph O’Brien.
John Kiely, who was recording his biggest success on the flat, said afterwards: “I’ve always liked her and she keeps improving. She may have had enough racing now for this year.
"That's my first runner in a Listed race so it has to stand as one of my career highs."
The winner is owned by exors of the late Alan Lillingston.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
