Swelltime (Adam Farragher) beats Pearl Warrior (Conor Hoban)© Photo Healy Racing
Swelltime left behind form figures of '8-000' to win division one of the La Bucca Restaurants Handicap at Fairyhouse.
Bred by Gigginstown House Stud, it probably shouldn't be all that surprising that the successful son of Born To Sea stays well, which he showed from the front here over a mile and a half under Adam Farragher.
Well-backed favourite Pearl Warrior (9/2 into 11/4) looked like he might go on for success in the final quarter mile but Swelltime just refused to yield.
Two and a half lengths split them at the finish and there was a gap of four and a quarter lengths back to Walkabout in third.
Joe Murphy junior, son and assistant to winning owner/trainer Joe senior, said: "We fancied him a little, although not as much as it might seem (40/1 this morning and returned at 9s).
"He’s very one paced but he stays going well, and I’d say he’ll jump a hurdle in time.
“We decided to make use of his strength which was going to be staying and he kept on well.”
D.E. Sheehy, rider of Giorni Felice trained by Edward Lynam, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran freely early on.
(AM & EM)
