Downforce (white) is ridden out by Billy Lee to beat Mizaah (blue and white) and Master Speaker (left)© Photo Healy Racing
Downforce justified plenty of market support, as he took the thetote.com Handicap under Billy Lee for Willie McCreery.
Available at 9/2 last night, that price was quickly snapped up, and the son of Fast Company (also the sire of previous winner Jet Setting opened on-course at 9/4 before going off the 2/1 favourite.
Successful at the Curragh and Sligo in May, the Donal Finnan owned four-year-old was a close-up fourth and fifth on his last two starts in valuable handicaps.
Settled behind the leaders by Lee, the winner travelled best with two furlongs to race and hit the front with over a furlong to go.
He needed to be driven out inside the final furlong to hold off the efforts of both Master Speaker and Mizaah
Master Speaker (12/1 to 10/1) filled the runner-up spot, a neck back under Colm O'Donoghue for Martin Hassett, while Mizaah (11's this morning and from 7's to 6's on-course), who was squeezed for room close home, was another length back in third under Chris Hayes for Kevin Prendergast.
Willie McCreery said afterwards: "He was very consistent - the last day he was just very unlucky when he was shuttled back to last but flew home. He got there too soon today and travelled so well.
"He loves that ground and obviously it is a Fast Company thing as the filly (Classic winner Jet Setting) won the previous race. He moves like it is good ground and the rest seem to be struggling.
"We'll see about maybe one more run but his owner Donal (Finnan) is over for a few weeks so said we'd run him twice. He's originally from Kilcock but is now living in New York."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages involving Master Speaker, ridden by C. O'Donoghue, placed second, Downforce, ridden by W.J. Lee, placed first and Mizaah, ridden by C.D. Hayes, placed third, where it appeared Mizaah ran short of room. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judge's placings and took no further action.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
