Gatsby Cap and Andrew Slattery pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
The Fozzy Stack trained Gatsby Cap made the breakthrough on his sixth start, as he took the LMFM Dual Race Night Friday 3rd May Handicap.
Sixth of eighteen on his debut in handicap company at Cork earlier this month, the son of Gale Force Ten was sent off a 6/1 chance this evening with Andrew Slattery aboard.
Settled behind the leaders, he was pushed to challenge on the inner from early in the straight, and got to the front inside the final furlong, keeping on well in the closing stages to score by a length and three parts. Han Solo (7/2) finished second under Colin Keane for Austin Leahy, while 25/1 chance Guiding was a neck back in third. Duhallow Noelie was sent off the 5/2 favourite, and he faded in the closing stages to finish fourth, after attempting to make all under Ben Coen.
The winner, who is owned by Rick Barnes, is out of Blue Dahlia who was successful four times for Tommy Stack, taking a Premier Handicap at the Curragh in September of 2011.
"I rode him last time in Cork on soft ground and the trip was no problem. I was very happy with him there, he travelled everywhere and did it easy," said Slattery.
"I think he's better than that as he was doing it all very easy off that rating. I can see him going on a lot more.
"I'm still in school and I don't really have time at the minute to ride out in different yards so I'm very grateful to get the chances when I do. I'll take as many as I can.
"Myself, Ben Coen and Gavin Ryan are in the same class. We don't get a whole pile done now but we get a bit of it!
"We've two weeks off now so we're at home working away."
STEWARDS REPORTS
D.P. McDonogh, rider of Treasure Vale trained by Andrew Slattery, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount lay on the side of the stalls and was slow to jump as a consequence.
John C. McConnell, trainer of Magi Gal reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his charge's saddle slipped forward in this race
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
