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Count Salazar wins thriller at Tramore

Count Salazar over the last in front of TorremuelleCount Salazar over the last in front of Torremuelle
© Photo Healy Racing

The tricky camera angle at Tramore found out exchange punters betting on the photo finish as Torremuelle was backed down to 1/4 to be called the winner, but he lost by a nose to Count Salazar in the handicap chase.

There was drama on the approach to two out as 4/5 favourite Ponmeworld slipped up on the bend when racing third. This left Count Salazar to try and outlast Torremuelle.

A slow jump at the last by the leader Count Salazar allowed Torremuelle and Ben Dalton in and it looked like he had prevailed in a driving finish to the line but Count Salazar and Shay Barry on the inside just held on at 7/1, having been weak in the betting ring from 5/1.

“I thought he was beaten. He had great point-to-point form, but he lost his way a bit. His confidence will be back after that," Count Salazar's trainer Eoin Doyle said.

“He’ll go for another handicap chase now. He loves that ground.”

Torremuelle was second at 16/1 and the pair were well clear of Urban Gale in third also at 16/1.

Ponmeworld was found to be ok, but winded after the race.

Ben Dalton was given a three-day ban for using his whip above the shoulder on runner-up Torremuelle.

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.