Secret Recipe comes to claim Hall Of Mirrors© Photo Healy Racing
Secret Recipe wore down front-runner Hall Of Mirrors inside the final furlong to claim the opening seven-furlong maiden at Listowel.
Hall Of Mirrors was sent off even-money favourite in the four-runner event and looked to have his rivals in trouble turning for home.
Joseph O'Brien had to get serious on his mount over a furlong from home though and he failed to pick up for pressure in the closing stages.
Secret Recipe, who had worked his way into second over a furlong out, galloped on well to get his head in front inside the final 100 yards for a half-length success under Pat Smullen. Fortify stable-mate of the favourite, made a promising debut in third, beaten just another half-length despite running green.
The Dermot Weld-trained winner (5/2) had shaped with promise on his sole start at Navan back in May when third behind the smart Cristoforo Colombo.
That was on good ground however and Smullen revealed afterwards he had serious doubts on today's heavy conditions:-
"He's not a bad horse and I think he'll be better on better ground.
"I was very fearful of the ground today and didn't think he'd handle it to be honest. He had a very good run the first day."
(On course reporting by Donal Murphy)
