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Harpocrates edges verdict to give Harrington & Foley double

Harpocrates edges out Maker Of KingsHarpocrates edges out Maker Of Kings
© Photo Healy Racing

Only five went to post in the seven-furlong conditions race at Tipperary this evening but it produced a thrilling finish with Harpocrates emerging as the narrow winner.

It was a double on the card for connections as Shane Foley did the steering on the Jessica Harrington-trained colt in the colours of Zhang Yuesheng.

There was a scare as the Invincible Spirit colt stumbled leaving the stalls but he soon took up a position tracking 1/2 shot Maker Of Kings

Foley asked his mount, an easy to back 11/4 shot, for an effort over a furlong out and he came to join the front-runner close home.

Harpocrates got the verdict by a short-head as they flashed past the post. Insinuendo also finished off well to press the front two close home and was only a neck back in third.

"I nearly fell off him coming out of the stalls and was lucky to stay on board,” said Foley.

"He's not a bad horse and I ended up getting there too soon. Colin's lad (Keane, on Maker Of Kings) wasn't helping him until I went but he stuck it out well and likes those small runner fields.

"He has a rating of 104, I think he likes that good ground and it would be great if he could win a Listed race."

Foley and Harrington had also struck with Indigo Balance in the sprint handicap earlier on the card.

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.