The Mark Phelan owned Red Laser on his way to victory under Shane Foley from Smoke Charger in second© Photo Healy Racing
Red Laser transferred his good Dundalk form to the turf as he made virtually all to win division one of the www.gowranpark.ie Handicap, under Shane Foley for Mick Halford.
The four-year-old son of Red Clubs had been performing solely on the all-weather since November of 2011, winning twice and finishing second on three occasions.
He won on his last outing in January and he was well fancied to follow up this evening, being backed from 7/2 into clear 5/2 favouritism at the off.
Over a furlong out he was battling for the lead with Smoke Charger (6/1) and he got on top inside the final furlong, keeping on best to score by a length and a half from the aforementioned Chris Hayes ridden gelding. Maundy Money (7/1) finished three parts of a length back in third under Fergal Lynch while General Bunching was a length and three parts back under Colin Keane at 20/1.
Mick Halford said afterwards: "I didn’t know whether he would go in the daylight or not!
"He needs that ground and Shane was able to get a breather into him. He is dead genuine and we’ll keep him going as long as we have the ground."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
