Blue Ridge Lane and Shane Foley just prevail in the seventh at Fairyhouse© Photo Healy Racing
Shane Foley completed a double on the card (earlier scored on Slipper Orchid as he took the first division of the Bobbyjo Bistro Great Value Packages Handicap aboard the John McConnell trained Blue Ridge Lane
The eight-year-old son of Indian Ridge went off a 16/1 chance this evening after disappointing on his first two starts of 2014 at Wexford and Tramore respectively.
Slowly away the chestnut gelding raced in last for the first half of the race and he had just one rival behind him turning into the straight.
He was driven along on the wide outside over two furlongs out and he soon made progress through the field.
He only really got going from the furlong pole and he hit the front close home, getting the better of the Joseph O’Brien ridden Armed Guard (6/1 to 9/2 on-course) by just a neck. Colla Pier was sent off the 11/4 favourite (opened at 10/3) and while he kicked for home over a furlong out he couldn’t hold off the aforementioned duo and he had to settle for third a further length and a half back.
John McConnell, who was recording his first winner since Hoppsan won at Dundalk in November of last year, said afterwards: "What can you say about him. He does it for me every year.
"The handicapper was hard on him when he won last year but he shouldn’t be too hard on him for that.
"I don’t care if he doesn’t win again as he has been a great horse for me."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
