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Rock Etoile overcomes wide draw to win for Slattery

Rock Etoile and Cian Horgan Rock Etoile and Cian Horgan
© Photo Healy Racing

Trainer Andrew Slattery continued his good recent form when sending out Rock Etoile to land Division ll of the Bar One Racing Guaranteed Multiples All Shops Handicap at Dundalk.

Often a front-runner, the six-year-old was held up off the early pace from his outside stall 14 berth, as The Bog Bank took the field along under James Ryan.

Moving closer on the outer early in the straight, Cian Horgan produced the 11/2 chance to lead over a furlong out, staying on strongly inside the final furlong to win by three-quarters-of-a-length.

It was a fourth career success for the son of Fastnet Rock.

Andy Slattery said: "He was well handicapped on his old form.

"He's had a few issues, we had to burn his palate and things like that.

"He had a good run in Leopardstown last Thursday which probably entitled him to be there or thereabouts.

"I never mind (stall) 14 here because it is nearly half a mile down to the bend. It would be worse if there was a bend coming closer.

"We are having a good run - I think that is three winners last week and two this week.

"We will have a good few for Dundalk, a lot of two-year-olds didn't run yet."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham.

About John O'Riordan
John has worked for the Press Association since 2022. He also writes a weekly column for The Irish Field and is a regular contributor to the Irish Racing Yearbook. He has previously written for the Racing Post, Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mirror. He has been involved in racing for over three decades; having experience as a syndicate member, sole owner and breeder.