Lough Ferrib (left) on his way to victory from Celestial Prospect (centre) and Asian Wing (right)© Photo Healy Racing
The 11yo Lough Ferrib the oldest horse in the race by three years, showed age is just a number to him as he took division one of the Ratoath Handicap over 1m 2f for his trainer John Hassett with Leigh Roche in the saddle.
The son of Accordion is better known for his exploits in the jumps game as he has four handicap hurdle successes to his name.
However he did win once on the level before, that coming in Down Royal in September of 2010 in an Apprentice Handicap over 1m 4f.
After finishing a decent third behind Gudnis Gracious Me in a Novice Chase at Tramore last June he was then off the track until May of this year where he finished thirteenth of fourteen in a handicap at Dundalk.
Having his second start of 2012 this evening, the winner chased the leaders early on before making headway into second with two furlongs left to race.
He was ridden to lead over a furlong out and kept on well from there to score by a length at the odds of 10/1.
The Takashi Kodama trained Asian Wing kept on well to take second under Michael Hussey at 20/1 while Celestial Prospect was a further neck back in third at 13/2 with Phoebe Van Gelder another three and a half lengths back in fourth at 20/1.
The well backed 11/4 favourite (opened 9/2 this morning and on-course) Sheilas Wish took up the running at the halfway stage but when ridden she didn’t find much as she was headed over a furlong out and eventually finished fifth.
Winning trainer John Hassett, who was recording his first win since Lough Ferrib scored on the 16th of September 2010, said afterwards: "He is a versatile horse. He is entered in Cork on Sunday in a 0-65 (rated handicap)."
When asked about the winners entry for the Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday, Hassett said; "Ah, sure that was just dreaming."
Donal Murphy & Michael Graham
